In Kerala gold scam case, Union Minister demands CM's resignation; 10 accused granted bail

National Investigation ncy (NIA) probing terror link in Kerala gold smuggling case on Wednesday indicated in a special court in Kochi that it suspected link of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's gang in sensational racket. Reacting to this, Union Minister V Muraleedharan on Thursday said that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan must resign in wake of this revelation.

'It is a grave matter'

Taking to Twitter, Muraleedharan said that it is a "grave matter" and substantiates UAPA charges levelled against accuses and ir links to terror groups. In ar tweet, he ded that NIA's revelations "exposes patron given to smugglers and anti-national elements in Kerala." Minister of State for External Affairs alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan has been sheltering criminals and Kerala has become a safe haven for such elements. "Kerala CM must resign!" he said. 

10 accused in Kerala gold smuggling case granted bail

Meanwhile, special court on Thursday granted conditional bail to ten accused arrested by National Investigation ncy (NIA) in connection with Kerala gold smuggling case. Special NIA court, however, dismissed bail pleas of three key accused. Two or prime accused in case Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS withdrew ir bail pleas on Thursday.

Granting bail to ten accused with stringent conditions, court directed m to execute a bond for ₹10 lakh each with two solvent sureties each for like sum. y were also ordered to surrender ir passports, t to leave state without court's permission and t make any attempt to contact any of prosecution witnesses.

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Kerala gold scam

NIA, probing terror angle in gold smuggling through diplomatic channel, initially named Sarith, Swapna Suresh, and Sandeep Nair and Fazil Fareed as accused in case which relates to seizure of 30 kg of 24-carat gold worth ₹ 14.82 crores at Thiruvananthapuram airport on July 5 by Customs (Preventive) Commissionerate, Kochi.

During course of investigation, NIA has arraigned at least 26 ors as accused and arrested many of m. Besides NIA, Customs and Enforcement Directorate are also probing case of smuggling of gold through diplomatic bagg dressed to UAE consulate at Thiruvananthapuram since vember last year.

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