Kerala: Congress urges PM Modi to take action against KT Jaleel over gold smuggling links

Congress MP and United Democratic Front (UDF) Convener Benny Behanan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged him to take action against Kerala Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 for receiving contribution from UAE Consular General despite being a representative of state legislature. This comes after reports of KT Jaleel's involvement in gold smuggling case surfaced earlier. Minister was allegedly in contact with key accused Swapna Suresh and h me several phone calls to her. 

"It has come out in media that Kerala Minister KT Jaleel h me several phone calls to Swapna Suresh, who is prime suspect in gold smuggling case which was uneard while examining diplomatic bagg which was brought from UAE in name of Attache of Consulate. While explaining about calls, minister h stated that y were me in regard to food kits (Ramzan kits) worth Rs 5 Lakh sponsored by UAE Consular General," Behanan wrote. 

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Requesting Prime Minister to consider aspects related to case and take appropriate action, Behanan ded, "As per provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010, acceptance of any foreign contribution in any currency by a member of any legislature is prohibited under section 3 of Act. conduct of Minister is punishable under section 35 of Act with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 5 years or with fine or with both." 

RE | Trouble For Pinarayi Vijayan; Congress To Move ' Confidence' Over Kerala Gold Smuggling

Congress party on Friday moved a -confidence motion against Pinarayi Vijayan-led government in Kerala in backdrop of Gold Smuggling case. In letter dressed to Secretary of Kerala Legislative Assembly, Congress leer V. D. Saesan re that Congress-led UDF expresses ' confidence' in CPI(M) led government in state ding that y would want to move a resolution against Pinarayi Government in Kerala assembly. 

This comes shortly after Congress-led UDF demanded resignation of Chief Minister after role of top bureaucrats and government officials including ex-principal Secretary was exposed in Kerala Gold smuggling case. 

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NIA continues investigation

NIA h took over case after Centre's d on July 9. investigative ncy will probe wher gold smuggling was linked to activities detrimental to national security. ncy has slapped various sections of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 against accused — Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh, Fazil Fareed, Sandeep Nair — in case. Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair have been sent to NIA custody for eight days. NIA has moved Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to issue a Blue Corner tice against Faizal Fareed. 

During a hearing, NIA informed special court that Suresh and Nair forged seal and emblem of UAE Embassy to commit crime. Moreover, it argued that smuggled gold was t used for jewellery purpose, but for terror activities. Suresh and Nair shall remain in NIA custody till July 21.

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