Kerala Secretariat Fire: BJP, Congress claim gold smuggling case proof destroyed by govt

After a fire broke out in protocol office of Kerala Secretariat on Tuesday, Opposition BJP and Congress demanded a high-level probe into incident. y alleged that important files relating to gold smuggling case, among ors, were destroyed while Kerala government suspected a 'conspiracy' by both parties.

Leer Of Opposition in state Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala met Goverr Arif Mohamm Khan on Tuesday over fire incident at Kerala Secretariat and demanded an independent probe into incident.

'We demand a thorough inquiry'

"We fear that re are elements who sabotd inquiry (of Kerala Gold Smuggling case). re are very important files in Protocol Office. It does t have any security. H re been security, it would t have happened," BJP leer Kummanam Rajasekharan said.

"We demand a thorough inquiry, culprit should be booked immediately. We suspect that re is a very well planned move for sabotaging files in Protocol Office," he ded while speaking to ANI.

VT Balram, Congress MLA said that party does t believe in inquiry being carried out by state government into incident. "We have demanded a high-level inquiry. Government has set up an official level inquiry with some middle-level IAS officers. We do t believe in it because role of even Chief Secretary is questionable. We suspect his involvement," VT Balram said.

"It was under his order that elected representatives, MLAs were detained and restricted from entering Secretariat premises. We demand that NIA, that is probing Gold Smuggling Case, take te of this and inquire into this incident as well," he ded.

Protest turns violent

Meanwhile, police baton-charged on workers of Youth Congress, protesting in Kozhikode against fire at Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. y were marching towards office of Kozhikode Police Chief when Police stopped m. injured have been shifted to hospital.  activists burnt tyres and an effigy of Chief Minister in front of Secretariat.

fire broke out on Tuesday evening and smoke was seen coming out one of floors of Secretariat building. fire was later doused and injuries were reported. Briefing reporters about incident, Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta said that a comprehensive probe will be carried out.

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three key accused in gold smuggling case -- Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh, and Sandeep Nair -- were sent to judicial custody till August 26 by a Kochi court. matter is related to smuggling of gold through diplomatic bagg dressed to UAE consulate in Kerala and NIA has arrested several people.

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It h come to light after 30 kg gold worth Rs 14.82 crores, smuggled in a consignment camoufld as diplomatic bagg, was busted by Customs in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5.

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(With ncy inputs)