Kerala Gold Smuggling Case

Swapna Suresh says UAE Head was Key in Gold Import. Hints that Trial may go Back to the Emir Himself

A suspect in the high-profile gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh has reiterated that the gold was smuggled with the knowledge of the former charge de'affairs at the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Thiruvananthapuram.

The attaché Rashid Khamis Al Sheimeili left India for UAE on July 16 after he was recalled by the UAE government.

As a diplomatic agent he enjoys immunity from criminal jurisdiction in the country.

The consignment containing 30 kg gold was addressed to the attaché and was opened by the customs in the presence of the attaché on July 5, Swapna maintains.

Swapna Suresh had alleged that the attaché made an attempt to send back the consignment once he received information that the customs would seize it.

Dubai-based Faisal Fareed is a key name in the high-profile gold smuggling case, and is apparently using his diplomatic links in the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

But the National Investigation Agency (NIA) probing into the gold smuggled into the country in diplomatic baggage on Friday seized gold ornaments and cash from the bank lockers of Swapna Suresh.

The seizure amounts to nearly 1 kg gold and Rs one crore in cash, say sources.

The NIA submitted the details of the seizure before a special court to strengthen its side as it opposed the bail petitions filed by Swapna Suresh and a co-suspect Sandeep Nair.

Swapna Suresh however claimed that gold ornaments weighing 5 kg and cash were part of the gifts she received during her wedding 20 years ago.

She reiterated that her father was employed in the palace of a ruler of a Gulf country and the royal family had sponsored the wedding as retirement gift to her father.

The court will consider her bail application on Wednesday.

The NIA will meanwhile inform the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax Department about the seizure and seek further action in this regard.

UAPA Angle Invoked

The decision by the MHA to rope in NIA to probe the national security angle was taken immediately after the customs confirmed the catch at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport. The NIA registered a case against the accused invoking sections under UAPA and submitted before the court that a detailed probe was required to probe the ‘terror’ funding.