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Thiruvananthapuram:
Three key accused – Swapna Suresh, Sarith and Sandeep Nair – within the case of smuggling 30kg gold from UAE to Kerala by way of diplomatic channels have been despatched to judicial custody until August 26.
While searching for their custody within the Kerala gold smuggling case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court docket that Swapna had earlier mentioned she “was close with former secretary to the Kerala Chief Minister”. The (former) secretary was absolutely conscious that her integrity is doubtful, the ED’s report back to the court docket said.
M Sivasankar was faraway from the Chief Minister’s Office and suspended as Principal Secretary amid allegations after the July 5 arrests.
According to the ED, which is probing a cash laundering case associated to the gold smuggling, M Sivasankar had travelled with and met Ms Swapna a minimum of three instances within the UAE and Oman, together with when the state authorities was searching for help from Indian expats for 2019 Kerala flood reduction.
“Further proceeds of crime kept by A-2 (Swapna Suresh) in the bank locker jointly opened with a third person as per instruction of Sivasankar. An in-depth investigation is to be conducted in this regard,” the report added.
Earlier immediately, Kerala Minister G Sudhakaran had mentioned Sivasankar, who was questioned by the ED for 5 hours on Saturday, was a traitor and needs to be punished.
“There is no evidence that he (Sivasankar) is part of the gold smuggling case or any criminal case; that is being probed by central agencies. However, that he has links with the accused is shameful and that’s why he was removed… He will not be defended by anyone in this government,” Mr Sudhakaran mentioned.
The smuggling of gold allegedly by means of diplomatic channels got here to mild in July when a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage was busted by the customs in Thiruvananthapuram.
The case was taken over by the National Investigation Agency after the Union Home Ministry mentioned the “organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security”.
Earlier, the NIA had informed the court docket that about 200 kg gold had been sneaked into the nation by the syndicate on this method.
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