A&nbsp;team of officials from India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to fly to the UAE in order to continue their probe into the Kerala gold smuggling case.&nbsp;

NIA has decided to send the investigating team to the UAE to look into the manner in which diplomatic baggage was handled and also possible links with hawala transactions. The Indian government will soon be seeking the permission of the UAE for the team’s visit.&nbsp;

The team visiting the UAE will conduct a detailed investigation on those handling the diplomatic baggage in the UAE and also the Indians associated in that operation. The approval and the subsequent stand of the UAE government will be crucial in this regard. The NIA will submit the case diary containing the details of terrorist links in the gold smuggling case.&nbsp;

The NIA court is to consider the bail plea of accused Swapna Suresh on Thursday. Earlier the NIA had argued in the court stating that the money raised through gold smuggling was used for terrorist activities and is also reaching extremist groups. The court also ordered that the case diary detailing the progress of investigation be produced.&nbsp;

More details emerged on the wide network involved in the gold smuggling case after one of the key accused KT Rameez, who is under National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody, spilled the beans about his stay at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and the role of a few other Tamil Nadu-based agents.

Crucial details were obtained after taking KT Rameez into custody and later evidence was collected after taking him to IAS officer M Sivasankar’s flat.

More details on the wide network of the racket involved in the gold smuggling case through the diplomatic channel has come to light after one of the key accused Rameez, who is in National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody, spilled the beans about his stay at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and the role of a few other Tamil Nadu-based agents.&nbsp;

It is said that Rameez had met the second accused Swapna Suresh and third accused Sandeep Nair, on a few instances during the first three months of 2020.&nbsp;

Customs officials said the probe details revealed that Rameez used to handle the smuggled gold and he had established a network for transporting the smuggled gold across the country. “Apart from having a network with a few persons in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in Kerala, Rameez used to have links with a few groups in Tamil Nadu. Each consignment of gold was routed through different networks to avoid detection,” the officials said.&nbsp;

A team of officials from India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to fly to the UAE in order to continue their probe into the Kerala gold smuggling case.

A team of officials from India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to fly to the UAE in order to continue their probe into the Kerala gold smuggling case. NIA has decided to send the investigating team to the UAE to look into the manner in which diplomatic baggage was handled and also possible links with hawala transactions. The Indian government will soon be seeking the permission of the UAE for the team’s visit. The team visiting the UAE will conduct a detailed investigation on those handling the diplomatic baggage in the UAE and also the Indians associated in that operation. The approval and the subsequent stand of the UAE government will be crucial in this regard. The NIA will submit the case diary containing the details of terrorist links in the gold smuggling case. The NIA court is to consider the bail plea of accused Swapna Suresh on Thursday. Earlier the NIA had argued in the court stating that the money raised through gold smuggling was used for terrorist activities and is also reaching extremist groups. The court also ordered that the case diary detailing the progress of investigation be produced. More details emerged on the wide network involved in the gold smuggling case after one of the key accused KT Rameez, who is under National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody, spilled the beans about his stay at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and the role of a few other Tamil Nadu-based agents. Crucial details were obtained after taking KT Rameez into custody and later evidence was collected after taking him to IAS officer M Sivasankar’s flat. More details on the wide network of the racket involved in the gold smuggling case through the diplomatic channel has come to light after one of the key accused Rameez, who is in National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody, spilled the beans about his stay at a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram and the role of a few other Tamil Nadu-based agents. It is said that Rameez had met the second accused Swapna Suresh and third accused Sandeep Nair, on a few instances during the first three months of 2020. Customs officials said the probe details revealed that Rameez used to handle the smuggled gold and he had established a network for transporting the smuggled gold across the country. “Apart from having a network with a few persons in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts in Kerala, Rameez used to have links with a few groups in Tamil Nadu. Each consignment of gold was routed through different networks to avoid detection,” the officials said.

NIA team to fly to UAE to investigate Kerala gold Smuggling case

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has request Interpol to issue a blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed, an accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case.

Earlier, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Fareed by a special NIA court in Kochi.

A blue corner notice is an international request for cooperation or alerts for sharing critical crime-related information to help track individuals allegedly involved in criminal activities and suspected to be in other countries.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-accused-swapna-suresh-taken-into-custody-312609">Also read:&nbsp;Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh taken into custody</a>

The NIA had earlier informed the special court that they will hand over the warrant to Interpol as Faisal Fareed is currently suspected of being in Dubai.According to the agency, Fareed was involved in forging seal and emblem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy to commit the crime.

"The documents were forged by Faisal Fareed to ensure diplomatic protection for the baggage. Fareed is the third accused in the case. The gold smuggled into Kerala was not used for jewellery but terror activities. The accused smuggled gold twice in 2019, in two batches of 18 kg and 9 kg," the NIA had submitted before the special court.

Meanwhile, three others accused in the matter — Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair — are currently under the custody of the NIA, which is probing the matter.&nbsp;

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has request Interpol to issue a blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed, an accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has request Interpol to issue a blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed, an accused in the high-profile Kerala gold smuggling case. Earlier, a non-bailable warrant was issued against Fareed by a special NIA court in Kochi. A blue corner notice is an international request for cooperation or alerts for sharing critical crime-related information to help track individuals allegedly involved in criminal activities and suspected to be in other countries. Also read: Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh taken into custody The NIA had earlier informed the special court that they will hand over the warrant to Interpol as Faisal Fareed is currently suspected of being in Dubai.According to the agency, Fareed was involved in forging seal and emblem of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Embassy to commit the crime. "The documents were forged by Faisal Fareed to ensure diplomatic protection for the baggage. Fareed is the third accused in the case. The gold smuggled into Kerala was not used for jewellery but terror activities. The accused smuggled gold twice in 2019, in two batches of 18 kg and 9 kg," the NIA had submitted before the special court. Meanwhile, three others accused in the matter — Sarith PS, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair — are currently under the custody of the NIA, which is probing the matter.

Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA requests Interpol to issue blue corner notice against Faisal Fareed

The Central government’s counsel informed the Kerala High Court on Friday, that the bail application filed by Swapna Suresh, the main accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case is not maintainable. This was owing to the NationalAgency(NIA) having taken over the probe.&nbsp;

The bench verbally agreed with the counsel’s submission and adjourned the hearing to Tuesday. The court has also agreed to provide the FIR copy (filed by the NIA) to Swapna’s advocate. &nbsp;

The Central government counsel, Mr. Ravi Prakash maintained that, under Section 21 of the NIA Act, the High Court has no original jurisdiction to consider the anticipatory bail application, adding that it can only be considered by the Special Court.&nbsp;

He further stated that the custodial interrogation of Swapna Suresh had to be conducted to establish her involvement and motive in the delivery of the diplomatic cargo.&nbsp;

The NIA informed the Court of having filed an FIR and that their investigation is underway as per Sections 16, 17, &amp;18 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).&nbsp;

The Central government lawyer informed the court that even if the bail was was to be considered, this case had serious implications and that the nature of crime affected the security, financial stability of the country.&nbsp;

Swapna Suresh’s bail plea that was filed earlier this week stated that she was working with the UAE Consulate general office from 2016-19 and that she had completed many assignments there, successfully. Following her resignation from there in 2019, she worked as a contract staff in PWC, which dealt with the Space park projects that came under Kerala government’s IT Department.

It added that the Consulate General of UAE in Thiruvananthapuram had again sought her assistance in administrative matters due to her experience in the same. The plea states that she worked with the Consulate under a “Work on request” basis, as a part of which she had checked with Customs regarding the delay of the Consignment.&nbsp;

The plea stated that “she was innocent, had not committed any criminal offenses as alleged and had no connection with respect to the smuggled gold”.&nbsp;

How the case progressed through the week

On Sunday, the Customs at the Thiruvananthapuram airport seized 30kg of gold, valued at nearly Rs.15crore, in a diplomatic cargo addressed to the UAE Consulate in the capital city. The cardboard carton weighing 79kg had contained foodstuffs and what was said to be “articles other than foodstuffs”. On closer examination and dismantling, it was found that the “articles other than foodstuffs” had gold concealed in them.&nbsp;

As per the remand request filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the Charge d’Affairs of the UAE Consulate affirmed that his family had sent the list of nine items that were mentioned as food stuffs. He also confirmed that he had no relation with the items that are mentioned as “articles other than foodstuffs”.

Customs Officials registered a case pertaining to the illegal import of gold and also arrested Sarith, a former PRO of the UAE Consulate.&nbsp;

Opposition leaders alleged that the Kerala Chief Minister’s Office was connected to the case and that the CM’s Principal Secretary was in touch with Swapna Suresh and also behind her appointment in the Space Park job. This led to the CM’s Principal Secretary, Sivasankar being sent on one year leave.&nbsp;

According to reports, Sivasankar had been embroiled in another controversy recently, after he initiated an agreement with an American firm, Sprinklr to share details of COVID-19 patients and suspects, without the knowledge of CM and the cabinet.

Following the political storm and serious allegations that rocked the state government, the Kerala chief minister wrote to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister seeking a probe by the concerned Central agencies.&nbsp;

On Thursday, the Home Ministry permitted the NIA to take over the probe on the grounds that “organized smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security”.&nbsp;

The Central government’s counsel informed the Kerala High Court on Friday, that the bail application filed by Swapna Suresh, the main accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case is not maintainable.

The Central government’s counsel informed the Kerala High Court on Friday, that the bail application filed by Swapna Suresh, the main accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case is not maintainable. This was owing to the NationalAgency(NIA) having taken over the probe. The bench verbally agreed with the counsel’s submission and adjourned the hearing to Tuesday. The court has also agreed to provide the FIR copy (filed by the NIA) to Swapna’s advocate. The Central government counsel, Mr. Ravi Prakash maintained that, under Section 21 of the NIA Act, the High Court has no original jurisdiction to consider the anticipatory bail application, adding that it can only be considered by the Special Court. He further stated that the custodial interrogation of Swapna Suresh had to be conducted to establish her involvement and motive in the delivery of the diplomatic cargo. The NIA informed the Court of having filed an FIR and that their investigation is underway as per Sections 16, 17, &18 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The Central government lawyer informed the court that even if the bail was was to be considered, this case had serious implications and that the nature of crime affected the security, financial stability of the country. Swapna Suresh’s bail plea that was filed earlier this week stated that she was working with the UAE Consulate general office from 2016-19 and that she had completed many assignments there, successfully. Following her resignation from there in 2019, she worked as a contract staff in PWC, which dealt with the Space park projects that came under Kerala government’s IT Department. It added that the Consulate General of UAE in Thiruvananthapuram had again sought her assistance in administrative matters due to her experience in the same. The plea states that she worked with the Consulate under a “Work on request” basis, as a part of which she had checked with Customs regarding the delay of the Consignment. The plea stated that “she was innocent, had not committed any criminal offenses as alleged and had no connection with respect to the smuggled gold”. How the case progressed through the week On Sunday, the Customs at the Thiruvananthapuram airport seized 30kg of gold, valued at nearly Rs.15crore, in a diplomatic cargo addressed to the UAE Consulate in the capital city. The cardboard carton weighing 79kg had contained foodstuffs and what was said to be “articles other than foodstuffs”. On closer examination and dismantling, it was found that the “articles other than foodstuffs” had gold concealed in them. As per the remand request filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the Charge d’Affairs of the UAE Consulate affirmed that his family had sent the list of nine items that were mentioned as food stuffs. He also confirmed that he had no relation with the items that are mentioned as “articles other than foodstuffs”. Customs Officials registered a case pertaining to the illegal import of gold and also arrested Sarith, a former PRO of the UAE Consulate. Opposition leaders alleged that the Kerala Chief Minister’s Office was connected to the case and that the CM’s Principal Secretary was in touch with Swapna Suresh and also behind her appointment in the Space Park job. This led to the CM’s Principal Secretary, Sivasankar being sent on one year leave. According to reports, Sivasankar had been embroiled in another controversy recently, after he initiated an agreement with an American firm, Sprinklr to share details of COVID-19 patients and suspects, without the knowledge of CM and the cabinet. Following the political storm and serious allegations that rocked the state government, the Kerala chief minister wrote to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister seeking a probe by the concerned Central agencies. On Thursday, the Home Ministry permitted the NIA to take over the probe on the grounds that “organized smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security”.

Centre opposes bail for Kerala gold smuggling accused; hearing adjourned

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.&nbsp;

MHA gave the case to the investigative body saying "organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security."

Meanwhile, Ministry of external affairs reacting on the matter on Thursday said UAE's mission has been informed on the matter.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in his weekly presser 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 United Arab Emirates (UAE) has already launched an investigation into the case to find out who was trying to smuggle gold to India under its consulate's name.

According to local authorities, Sarith Kumar, a former PRO at the consulate and one Swapna Suresh, working with Kerala govt IT Company were involved in the gold smuggling racket.&nbsp;

A statement by the UAE mission in Delhi said, "The authorities have stressed that the culprits who not only committed a major crime but also sought to tarnish the reputation of the UAE mission in India will not be spared. We remain committed to cooperating with Indian authorities in getting to the root of the crime."

Swapna Suresh was working as a manager at the Kerala State Information technology infrastructure limited company and was hired by IAS official M Sivasankar. Sivasankar, principal secretary to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has been now removed and has been replaced by Mir Muhammad Ali. Kerala CM has written to PM Modi calling for further probe.&nbsp;

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.

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 body saying "organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security." Meanwhile, Ministry of external affairs reacting on the matter on Thursday said UAE's mission has been informed on the matter. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava in his weekly presser 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 United Arab Emirates (UAE) has already launched an investigation into the case to find out who was trying to smuggle gold to India under its consulate's name. According to local authorities, Sarith Kumar, a former PRO at the consulate and one Swapna Suresh, working with Kerala govt IT Company were involved in the gold smuggling racket. A statement by the UAE mission in Delhi said, "The authorities have stressed that the culprits who not only committed a major crime but also sought to tarnish the reputation of the UAE mission in India will not be spared. We remain committed to cooperating with Indian authorities in getting to the root of the crime." Swapna Suresh was working as a manager at the Kerala State Information technology infrastructure limited company and was hired by IAS official M Sivasankar. Sivasankar, principal secretary to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has been now removed and has been replaced by Mir Muhammad Ali. Kerala CM has written to PM Modi calling for further probe.

Kerala smuggling case: NIA takes over case; MEA says UAE mission informed

An important meeting pertaining to the investigation in the 30kg gold smuggling case is underway between CBI and Customs Officials at the Customs (Preventive) Office in Ernakulam, Kerala.

An important meeting pertaining to the investigation in the 30kg gold smuggling case is underway between CBI and Customs Officials at the Customs (Preventive) Office in Ernakulam, Kerala. This meeting comes after several developments in the investigation of this case and its political fallout on Tuesday. In response to the alleged involvement of a top bureaucrat M.Sivasankar in the gold smuggling via a diplomatic channel and the ensuing controversies, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that the State government had nothing to do with it, and put the onus on the Central government. “All airports in the country come under the central government. For any issues happening here, the central government is responsible and the State government has nothing to do with this.” However, the opposition parties in Kerala suggest otherwise. Opposition leaders have claimed that M.Sivasankar, the bureaucrat who served as the Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary and IT Secretary had ties with a woman named Swapna Suresh, who is said to be the kingpin of the case. According to reports, Sivasankar had been embroiled in another controversy recently, after he initiated an agreement with an American firm, Sprinklr to share details of COVID-19 patients and suspects, without the knowledge of CM and the cabinet. Questions are being raised by Opposition parties on why Swapna Suresh(alleged kingpin) was appointed a few months ago on contract as the marketing liaison officer of the Space Park under the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited (KSITIL). The KSITIL works under Kerala’s IT department, and it has been alleged that Sivasankar was behind her appointment. On Tuesday, the Kerala Chief Minister’s office said that M Sivasankar was removed from the post of Secretary to the Chief Minister. Some reports also say that the Sivasankar was sent on year-long leave. An old letter that has surfaced from the UAE Consulate in Kerala says that Swapna Suresh (alleged kingpin) had joined as Secretary to the Consul General of UAE, Kerala in October 2016. It added that within a few months she was offered a direct contract by MOFA office Secretary, considering her outstanding performance. The letter dated 3rd September 2019 states that she had creditably discharged the duties till 31st August 2019. “One of the major highlights of her tenure was her handling of the visit of the Ruler of Sharjah and other royal delegations” reads the letter. The smuggling case so far On Sunday, the Customs at the Thiruvananthapuram airport seized 30kg of gold, valued nearly Rs.15 crore, in a diplomatic cargo addressed to the UAE Consulate in the capital city. The cardboard carton weighing 79kg had contained foodstuffs and what was said to be “articles other than foodstuffs”. On closer examination and dismantling, it was found that the “articles other than foodstuffs” had gold concealed in them. As per the remand request filed before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, the Charge d’Affairs of the UAE Consulate affirmed that his family had sent the list of nine items that were mentioned as foodstuffs. He also confirmed that he had no relation with the items that are mentioned as “articles other than foodstuffs”. The charge d'affaires also informed the Customs officials that Sarith, a former PRO in the Consulate had helped in getting the goods cleared in India. Adding that Sarith was no longer a consulate staff, he stated that Sarith’s help was sought for odd jobs. The charge d'affaires specifically denied any legal claim on his part and that of the UAE Consulate on the gold that was recovered. Appearing before the Customs authorities, the former consulate PRO Sarith gave a voluntary statement under section 108 of the Customs Act, which indicated his active role in bringing the consignment containing gold to India under the guise of diplomatic baggage. The remand request also states that Sarith gave evasive answers when asked about his accomplices in the offence. Examination of Sarith’s mobile phone also revealed that he had formatted it after the goods were detained at the airport, indicating an attempt to destroy evidence. It is alleged that Swapna Suresh, who had earlier worked with the consulate is the kingpin of this gold smuggling racket. Pictures and videos from several Kerala government functions and banquets also show the woman in close proximity with senior government and opposition leaders and other officials. She is said to be facing a crime branch probe for fabricating a complaint against an Air India Official. However, Opposition leaders also claim that the alleged kingpin Swapna Suresh had been working as Operations Manager with Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited, under Kerala Government's IT department until Monday 6th July. She is currently missing and the Customs department has launched a search for her. Addressing a Press Conference, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan asserted that the woman had no connection with the Chief Minister’s Office or the state government and that she served in a contractual role. “It is a contractual job and she was recruited through a placement agency, not directly by the government. She is understood to have worked under the Air India SATS and the consulate. It needs to be checked if she was appointed there (IT Dept) with some influence” he said. The UAE mission in Delhi had said that their authorities have launched an investigation to find out who sent the cargo containing gold to the UAE Consulate. The authorities stressed that the culprits who not only committed a major crime but also sought to tarnish the reputation of the UAE mission in India will not be spared. A diplomatic Cargo or bag is a physical box or container with legal protections that is used for carrying official documents or other items between a diplomatic mission and its home government. As long as these bags or containers are marked as Diplomatic, they have immunity from search or seizure as per International law. In this case, the search was conducted based on necessary permissions from the UAE authorities.

Kerala: 30kg gold smuggling controversy gets murky; CBI, Customs meeting underway

It was for the first time in India that the customs seized 30 kgs of gold from Diplomatic baggage on June 5.