In Kerala Gold smuggling case, Customs alleges Sivasankar, Swapna travelled to UAE 7 times

Former principal secretary of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan M Sivasankar travelled to UAE seven times along with Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh, said Customs department on Tuesday in its submission to Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court for Ecomic Offences. 

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Customs department in its submission said that all seven times, y stayed in 5-star hotels in UAE and SIvasankar had personally borne accommodation expenses. It added, "se trips were made with hidden intentions and same is being probed by ncy. A senior IAS officer making that many trips to same country is highly unusual."

Outlining furr details in its submission to Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Customs said that gold smuggling activities carried out by accused with Sivasankar's help have affected friendly relationship between India and UAE, a country that gives employment to a large number of Indias. It said, " functioning of UAE Consulate in Thiruvanthapuram has come to a standstill following incident, which is t congenial to maintenance of good relations with Gulf country. 

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This information by Customs department comes at time when Kerala gold smuggling case is currently being probed by Enforcement Directorate (ED), National Investigation ncy, and Customs Department. matter had come to light after 30 kilograms of gold worth Rs 14.82 crores, smuggled through diplomatic cargo, was busted by Customs in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5. 

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What is 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 addressed 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.

Following backlash over her appointment, she was sacked by state government. On July 16, Vijayan anunced suspension of his former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar pending departmental inquiry. It was reportedly found that he had violated All-India Services Conduct rules due to his connections with gold smuggling accused.

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(With ANI inputs)