Published 18:11 IST, October 27th 2020

Gold smuggling: Chennithala says Sivasankar used Kerala CMO; terms his chats 'shocking'

Ramesh Chennithala alleged that evidence from the gold smuggling probe pointed out that the Kerala Chief Minister's Office had been used by M Sivasankar

Reported by: Prachi Mankani
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On Tuesday, Kerala opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala alleged that evidence from gold smuggling probe by investigative ncies pointed out that Kerala Chief Minister's Office had been used by former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar for gold smuggling and hawala transactions. His statement comes at backdrop of  WhatsApp chats that took place between M. Sivasankar and his C.A Venugopal.

Chennithala termed chats to be shocking and added that chats clear out reasons for ir visit to foreign consulate.

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" WhatsApp chats that came out of Sivasankar with his Chartered Accountant are shocking. chats revealed hand of former Principal Secretary. After Kerala CMO's close connection of Ministers KT Jaleel and Kadakampally Surendran came out and both Ministers visited UAE consulate many times. y should make clear why y visited a foreign consulate," he said.

Alleging Sivasankar to be kingpin in gold smuggling case, Chennithala stated that Pinarayi Vijayan has moral authority to continue in post.

" involvement of more and more CPI(M) leaders are being revealed. Sivasankar was kingpin in gold smuggling. w, it has come to light that he was using Kerala CMO to help gold smuggling accused. Pinarayi Vijayan has moral authority to continue in post," he said.

READ: I could meet Sivasankar only after paying commision, reveals Santosh Eapen of UNITAC

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Sivasankar's WhatsApp Chats revealed 

In a new twist in gold smuggling scam, Republic TV has accessed messs which cast furr aspersion on role of M Sivasankar, ex-Principal Secretary to Kerala CM. As per purported chats between Sivasankar and his chartered accountant Venugopal, former aide of Kerala CM advised latter to "keep quiet" following arrest of Swapna Suresh and leave Kerala for Nrcoil. suspended bureaucrat allegedly wrote, "TV channels think Sanal Kumar is chartered accountant. Just keep quiet. If possible just leave city and be in Nrcoil or so". 

In one such mess, he also tried to convince Venugopal that investigative ncy might just array him as a witness. As per Enforcement Directorate, Venugopal and Suresh opened a joint locker on instruction of Sivasankar.

READ: Kerala Gold Scam: Swapna Suresh reveals that 'Car Palace' paid Rs 51 lakh as commission

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'Kingpin of corruption'

gold smuggling scam came to fore when Customs officials seized 30 kg of gold worth Rs.15 crore at  Thiruvananthapuram Airport on July 5 from a diplomatic cargo addressed to a person in UAE Consulate. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV on latest development, RSP MP NK Premachandran cited ED's argument in Kerala HC that Sivasankar is kingpin of corruption. According to him, ex-Principal Secretary to Kerala CM had told his CA to leave stater to avoid media scrutiny. Moreover, he claimed that a Left Front MLA is also involved in gold smuggling scam. 

READ: Kerala gold scam: Sivasankar asked his CA to leave state post Swapna Suresh's arrest

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READ: Kerala govt 'seriously considering' revoking CBI's consent 'to protect state's interest'

(With Inputs from ANI)

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18:11 IST, October 27th 2020