The Home Minister ordered probe by NIA ( National Investigation Agency) into the Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case.
Few days back UAE consulate ex staff has been arrested by custom official at Thiruvananthapuram airport. Custom official has 30 30 kg of gold from diplomat bag.
Now the case is registered under section 15, 16, 17 and 18.
The decision came a day after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his “intervention for an effective investigation” into the seizure of gold worth crores of rupees from a “diplomatic baggage” at the airport in the state capital.
“NIA probe will ensure a thorough investigation since the case involves an organised racket with international linkages, and was deemed appropriate given the implications for national and economic security of India,” said an officer.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) will investigate the Kerala gold smuggling case in which the gold was smuggled into the country in diplomatic baggage in the name UAE’s consulate in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
MHA gave the case to the investigative team saying “organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security.”
MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, “Ministry of External Affairs had kept the Embassy of the UAE informed regarding the matter. The UAE Mission has extended all cooperation to the Customs Authorities in examining the said consignment. The matter is under further investigation.”
“The MHA permits the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case, as the organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security,” a Home Ministry spokesperson said.
