Kerala gold smuggling: Swapna Suresh & Sandeep Nair sent to 8-day NIA custody

On Monday, a special NIA court in Kochi remanded Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, accused in gold smuggling case, to NIA custody for 8 days. This comes a day after court h sent accused to judicial remand while y were awaiting result of ir COVID-19 tests. Earlier in day, both Suresh and Nair tested negative for vel coronavirus and were brought to Kochi from quarantine centre in Thrissur.

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.

Re: Kerala Gold Smuggling: Custom Officials Records 3rd Accused Fazil Fareed's Statement

Kerala gold smuggling case

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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NIA takes over probe

After NIA took over case, it registered an FIR against Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh, Fazil Fareed, Sandeep Nair, and ors. Various sections of  Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 were slapped against aforesaid individuals. Suresh and Nair were nabbed by NIA from Bengaluru on July 11.  investigative ncy will probe wher gold smuggling was linked to activities detrimental to national security. Meanwhile, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has welcomed timely intervention of Centre.

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