Kerala gold smuggling case: Prime accused Sarith remanded to NIA custody for 7 days

On Friday, a special NIA court remanded Sarith Kumar, prime accused in Kerala gold smuggling case to NIA custody for 7 days. Until w, he was in custody of Customs Department. Previously, or accused Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair were sent to NIA custody till July 21. 

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. NIA has alleged that smuggled gold was t used for jewellery purpose but for funding terror activities.

Re: Kerala Gold Scandal: Gunman Of UAE Attache Attempts Suicide; Swapna Suresh Link Emerges

Principal Secretary to CM suspended

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 Suresh 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. On Thursday, Vijayan anunced that  suspension of his former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar pending departmental inquiry. It was reportedly found that he h violated All-India Services Conduct rules due to his connections with Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling accused.

Re: Kerala Gold Smuggling: 116 Calls Between Swapna Suresh And UAE Diplomat, Details Accessed

-confidence motion

Earlier in day, Congress anunced that it would move a -confidence motion against LDF government in Kerala Assembly. Moreover, senior Congress leer and Leer of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala demanded a CBI inquiry to probe role of Chief Minister's Office in gold smuggling scandal. Maintaining that CMO is involved in case, he claimed that Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan was shielding his former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar. Opining that it was better for Vijayan to immediately resign, he stated that various appointments and contracts in IT Department, mutual agreements with or ncies, and role of CM should be thoroughly investigated. According to him, Kerala CM must be questioned by CBI and NIA for breaking his constitutional vows.

Re: Kerala Gold Smuggling: Ex-Principal Secretary To CM, Sivasankar Suspended Pending Inquiry