Kerala Gold Smuggling case: NIA moves CBI to issue Blue Corner Notice against key accused

Days after taking over Kerala Gold Smuggling case, National Investigation ncy (NIA) has moved Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to issue a Blue Corner tice against Faizal Fareed, a key accused in case. application is reported to be under process. Customs officials h recorded statement of Fareed, who is currently in Dubai, on Monday. According to Customs officials, y called his friend to contact accused and recorded his statement. Fareed is a native of Thrissur.

Blue Corner tice by CBI, also kwn as 'enquiry tices,' is issued in order to verify someone's identity or to obtain particulars of said individual's criminal record. According to CBI website, aforementioned of tice can also be issued 'to locate someone who is missing or is an identified or unidentified international criminal or is wanted for a violation of ordinary criminal law and whose extrition may be requested.'

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NIA has slapped various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against accused - Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh, Fazil Fareed, Sandeep Nair - in case. Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair have been sent to NIA custody for 8 days. During hearing, NIA informed special court that Suresh and Nair forged seal and emblem of UAE Embassy to commit crime. Moreover, it argued that smuggled gold was t used for jewellery purpose, but for terror activities. Suresh and Nair shall remain in NIA custody till July 21.

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'-confidence motion'

Opposition's demand for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's resignation has been fuelled furr as Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), on Monday, has decided to bring a -confidence motion against ruling government in Kerala Assembly. UDF convener Benni Behanan has expressed that coalition has also decided to move a resolution against Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and seek his resignation alleging his link to gold smuggling scandal. 

" UDF meet today has decided to move a -confidence motion against government and resolution against Speaker. UDF has entrusted matter with Opposition Congress Leer Ramesh Chennithala," PTI quoted UDF convener. 

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Kerala Gold Smuggling 

On July 5, Customs officials seized 30 kg of gold worth Rs.15 crore at Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic cargo dressed to a person in UAE Consulate. Sarith Kumar, who worked at UAE Consulate was arrested in this regard. Reportedly, he told Customs about role of Swapna Suresh, an ex-Consulate employee w working as manr of Kerala State Information Techlogy Infrastructure Limited.

case took a political turn after photos with Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan surfaced. It has been alleged that Swapna has links with CM and has been seen with him at parties when she was working at UAE Consulate. Following backlash over her appointment, she was sacked by state government. Moreover, Principal Secretary to CM M Sivasankar has been replaced after his role in hiring Suresh came under scanner. 

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