Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 7: Regarding the case where a customs personnel intercepted the gold in a diplomatic-baggage, it is gathered that former employees of United Arab Emirates consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, were involved in the scandal.
It may be recalled, over 30 kg of gold was seized by the customs department at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, Kerala, on Sunday. The Rs 15 crore worth gold had reached the airport on Friday, but no one came forward to claim the baggage. The bag was then inspected and the concealed gold was found.
Swapna Suresh (left) and the confiscated gold
The parcel which contained the gold bars and sticks which were hidden inside some of the household equipment to avoid detection, was addressed to an officer in the consulate. The sender’s address had the name of the officer’s wife. But both the officer and the wife denied that they had anything to do with the parcel.
This is stated to be the first time in the country that the customs has seized gold from a diplomatic baggage meant for the staff in the UAE consulate general in Kerala.
According to latest reports, Sarith Nair, a former employee of the consulate, is already arrested, and Swapna Suresh, also a former employee, is absconding. Both were employed at the consulate until six months ago.
Sarith, a former public relations officer at the consulate, used a fake identity card to collect the diplomatic baggage with the smuggled gold.
Swapna was working as a contract official at Kerala government's Information Technology department. After the smuggling case grabbed headlines, the government has terminated the contract with Swapna, who the police say is absconding.
As per sources in the Thiruvananthapuram airport, gold was smuggled in diplomatic baggage several times. It is also said that more people are linked to the case and the officials have clear information about them.
Meanwhile, a photo where Swapna Suresh stands next to the CM emerged on social media, which the opposition used to tarnish the government's image.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has dismissed opposition claim linking chief minister's office to the gold smuggling case. Vijayan said he is not aware how the woman involved in the case got job under the state government's IT department.