Kerala minister denies gold smuggling allegations

KOCHI: Despite violent protests demanding his ouster from state cabinet and repeated grilling by National Investigation Agency (NIA), Enforcement Directorate and Customs, Minister for Higher Education KT Jaleel brushed aside allegations of his involvement in gold smuggling through diplomatic baggage.

Talking to a private news channel, the minister stated that maybe some people would have smuggled gold when the Holy Quran was brought from abroad. He wondered why the Customs did not check the baggage at the airport.

“Gold smuggling may be carried out through diplomatic baggage. But I don’t have any involvement in any gold smuggling,” reiterated Jaleel.

He said that Holy Quran texts were brought through diplomatic cargo, not baggage.

“Personally, I did not receive the baggage of Holy Quran. All packets handed over to me are safe. All 31 packets were fully sealed. Only one packet was opened,” the minister explained.

Responding to the question of requesting NIA to schedule interrogation during the night, Jaleel stated that he chose the time depending on his convenience. He revealed that he arrived at NIA office around 6 pm and the interrogation started around 6.15 am.

Communist Party of India (CPI), the second biggest constituent of ruling Let Democratic Front (LDF), openly defended Minister Jaleel on Monday. CPI state secretary state that no minister has resigned in the history of Kerala just because he/she was interrogated.

Hence there is no question of morality in case of KT Jaleel, said Kanam Rajendran.

“Let the investigation continue. If found guilty, I believe, Jaleel will not continue as minister even for a minute,” Rajendran said during an interaction programme aired by a private news channel.

(Minister) EP Jayarajan had, on his own, sent a leter to chief minister stating he will stay away pending probe into allegations. (Minister) Thomas Chandy had resigned due to a comment from the court. (Ministers) MN Govindan Nair and TV

Thomas resigned ater appearing before judicial commission. But (Chief Minister) Oommen Chandy who also appeared before judicial commission didn’t resign, CPI leader pointed out.

The central agency can question the 19 ministers if needed. If they want to bring down the government, this alone would be required then, as per the allegation.

If Jaleel has violated protocol, the central government can take action against him. But the Centre has till date taken no action as such.

This is how democracy works and not by demanding resignation just because he was quizzed, he explained.