Kerala gold-smuggling case: NIA detains key accused Swapna Suresh, Sandeep Nair
Thiruvananthapuram/IBNS: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) detained Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, the key accused in the 30-kg gold smuggling case in Kerala, on Saturday, media reports said.
A final call on arresting Swapna will be taken after interrogation, reported India Today.
Sandeep is also being questioned.
The NIA registered a case under sections 16,17 and 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 on Friday.
The Union Home Ministry handed over the case to NIA on Thursday.
The customs officials had seized 30 kg of gold from a diplomatic package bound for the United Arab Emirates Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Officials found that former employees of the consulate-general, Swapna Suresh and Sarith Nair, were involved in the gold smuggling. Both of them worked at the consulate general's office until six months ago.
Triggering a political battle, the Congress in Kerala on Wednesday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the case, and its alleged link with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s top aide M Sivasankar.
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