NIA slaps UAPA on Kerala former official

KOCHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of the central government which took over the investigation into a massive gold smuggling bid using diplomatic channels, slapped UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) on the key suspect Swapna Suresh, according to a submission filed in the Kerala High Court on Friday.

She has been booked under sections 16, 17, of UAPA.

The report stated that Sandeep, Swapna and Sarith are prime suspects in the gold smuggling via diplomatic channel that was subsequently intercepted at cargo terminal of Trivandrum International Airport on 5th this month.

Preliminary investigations are being carried out.

However, the opposition said anti-terrorism agency’s probe was not enough as the scam involves corruption at the highest level.

They demand a multilateral probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Research and Analysis Wing, the external intelligence agency.

“There should be a comprehensive probe by all the three national agencies plugging all loopholes,” former chief minister Oommen Chandy said.

Meanwhile, scores of young opposition workers who took to streets violating restrictions against COVID-19 pandemic were hurt in Kerala police action on Thursday.

They were demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing his office of colliding with an international smuggling racket.

They clashed with the police as they laid siege to Vijayan’s house in Pinarayi Village in Kannur district.

Separately, the court listed for hearing a petition for prosecuting Vijayan and M Sivasankar, the principal secretary to the chief minister.

The petition seeks booking of the duo in what he described as gold, Sprinklr, Bevq, and E-mobility scams.

“The division bench of the chief justice will consider the case on Monday,” senior lawyer Mathews J Nedumpara, appearing for the petitioner, told Gulf Today. “As a taxpayer and citizen, the petitioner says his rights are infringed since the Kerala police have registered no case in any of these scams.” Swapna made atempts to have the contraband cleared through the terminal ater which, she switched off her cell phone. Officials could not serve her summons as she is absconding. It is necessary to interrogate Swapna to get a clearer picture on her role, the counsel for the Union government submited in the court.

The central government argued that the gold was being smuggled to accumulate cash for terrorist activities.