Kerala officers ousted for gold smuggling
KOCHI: Gold smuggling through airports in Kerala is hitting new highs as the price of the yellow metal is shooting through the roof. Two Customs Preventive officers allegedly involved in gold smuggling cases in Kerala were terminated from service, according to a top official. Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin, Sumit Kumar removed Radhakrishnan B, Superintendent of Customs and Rahul, Inspector of Customs, who were allegedly involved in gold smuggling cases in the state, from service on Monday. “Two Customs officers of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate, Cochin, who were involved in gold smuggling cases were removed from service by Sumit Kumar, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin,” an official release said.
Radhakrishnan was involved in attempted smuggling of gold weighing 24998.61 grams having a market value of over Rs80 million through Trivandrum International Airport on May 13, 2019. Rahul was involved in attempted smuggling of gold weighing 11,035.54 grams valued at over Rs40 million through the international airport on August 19, 2019.
Radhakrishnan is currently lodged in Trivandrum Central prison, after the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau under the Union Finance Ministry issued detention order under COFEPOSA.
Rahul, against whom detention order under COFEPOSA was issued, is on the run.
Kumar said both the cases were booked and investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence. The show cause notice has been issued against Radhakrishnan under Customs Act 1962. Investigation is under progress in the other case. “Both the officers were removed from service, after due process of law under Rule 19 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965,” said the release.
In recent past Customs officials have arrested people for attempting to smuggle in gold by concealing it in bags, clothes and their rectums.
The high tax rate, increasing demand for gold, and escalating international prices have contributed to the rise in smuggling operations countrywide. Gold prices had surged about Rs1, 800 per 10 gram in the past week. The rupee fell to 71.89 against the US dollar on Monday, tracking weakness in other Asian currencies. A depreciation in the rupee increases the landed cost of gold in India as the country imports most of its bullion requirements. Domestic prices include 12.5 per cent import duty and three per cent GST.