Kerala CM's Principal Secy admits 'package' was sent to UAE, statement to Customs accessed

In a press conference on Monday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that 'no bag' was sent from Kerala to UAE as claimed by gold scam prime accused Swapna Suresh. But, Republic TV has accessed ex-Principal Secretary M Sivasankar's statement during his interrogation by Customs. In document, Vijayan's own former Principal Secretary has given a statement contrary to CM's claim and has supported Swapna Suresh's statement.

When Customs asked M Sivasankar if at end of 2016 or beginning of 2017 he requested Consul General through Swapna Suresh to send a package to Chief Minister of Kerala (who was in UAE at that time), former IAS officer mitted it. 

"Yes. Hon'ble Chief Minister was on his first visit to UAE after assuming charge and was meeting important high level dignitaries during his visit re. As is usual courtesy, it was decided that some mementos should be handed over to dignitaries at end of meetings," he wrote, highlighting that accordingly, using 'spices of Kerala' an artistic memento was designed.

He furr revealed that only one memento was rey before delegation left for UAE. "Or three or four mementos which were subsequently reied h to be reached to UAE and for this, I h requested Consul General to help out. He arranged for getting same delivered to delegation at UAE eir on same day or next day," he told Customs.

What Swapna Suresh h alleged 

It is important to mention that Swapna Suresh has alleged that a bag with currency was sent for Chief Minister, who was visiting United Arab Emirates in December 2016, after Secretary of Chief Minister, Shivashankar, claimed that certain 'emergency requirement' h been left behind. 

On bringing parcel to Consulate as per normal procedures, P Sarith brought it to Consulate General and scanned it and saw currency in parcel along with 'some spices kind of images' through Consulate scanning machine. "He immediately reported it confidently to me but as we were new to organization We could not do anything about this," she claimed.

Kerala gold scam dates back to July 2020, when 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.