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{{Short description|Smuggling case in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2019}}
{{Infobox event| title= 2020 Kerala gold smuggling case
| time=| duration=
| venue=[[Thiruvananthapuram International Airport]]
| location= [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| coordinates=| also_known_as=
| type= [[Smuggling]]
| inquiries = [[National Investigation Agency|NIA]], [[Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs|CBITC]],
[[Enforcement Directorate|ED]]
| outcome=
| reported deaths=
| arrests= 8 (as of 1 <ref name="mangalam">{{cite web|url=https://www.mangalam.com/news/detail/436782-latest-news-bineesh-kodiyeris-custody-extended-by-five-days.html|title=Bineesh Kodiyeri's custody extended by five days {{pipe}} ബിനീഷ് കോടിയേരിയുടെ കസ്റ്റഡി കാലാവധി അഞ്ച് ദിവസം കൂടി നീട്ടി|website=Mangalam|accessdate=2020-12-28}}</ref> November 2020)
| suspects=Sarith Kumar, [[Swapna Suresh]], Fazil Farid, Sandeep Nair, M.Sivasankar, Rashed Khamis Ali Musaiqri Alshemeli
| charges= Smuggling
}}

[[File:Gold_bullion_bars.jpg|thumb|Gold smuggling was rampant in India until liberalisation, which repealed The Gold (Control) Act, 1968 that prohibited the import of gold except for making jewellery]]
On 5 July 2020, {{convert|30|kg|lb}} of [[24 carat]] gold worth [[Indian rupee|₹]]14.82 crores was seized by [[Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs]] at [[Thiruvananthapuram Airport]] from a [[diplomatic bag]] that was meant to be delivered to the [[UAE]] Consulate in [[Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nanjappa|first=Vicky|date=2020-07-07|title=Kerala Gold Smuggling: Who is Swapna Suresh?|url=https://www.oneindia.com/india/kerala-gold-smuggling-who-is-swapna-suresh-3115972.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707210203/https://www.oneindia.com/india/kerala-gold-smuggling-who-is-swapna-suresh-3115972.html |archive-date=7 July 2020 |access-date=2020-08-09|website=|language=en}}</ref>

M Sivasankar, the principal secretary to [[Kerala chief minister|Kerala CM]] [[Pinarayi Vijayan]], was suspended and removed from the post after preliminary inquiry confirmed that he had links with Swapna Suresh, one of the accused in the [[National Investigation Agency (India)|National Investigation Agency]] (NIA) probe.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Unnithan |first1=P. S. Gopikrishnan |title=Former principal secretary to Kerala CM, M Sivasankar suspended over gold smuggling probe |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/former-principal-secretary-to-kerala-cm-m-sivasankar-suspended-over-gold-smuggling-probe-1701310-2020-07-16 |work=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Background ==
Gold smuggling was rampant in India until [[Economic liberalisation in India|liberalisation]], which repealed [[The Gold (Control) Act, 1968]] that prohibited the import of gold except for making jewellery.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{Cite news|title=How government policy gave rise to gold smuggling in Kerala - Times of India|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-government-policy-gave-rise-to-gold-smuggling-in-kerala/articleshow/76870684.cms|access-date=2020-08-10|website=The Times of India}}</ref>

In the 2011–12 period India's [[current account deficit]] burgeoned to 4.2% of its GDP.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Gold, silver to become expensive as import duty hiked to 10%|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/gold-silver-to-become-expensive-as-import-duty-hiked-to-10/articleshow/21799699.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2020-12-23}}</ref> This was due to high prices of oil and gold, which the country imported in huge volumes.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=2020-12-23 | url=https://www.livemint.com/Money/l7VmuppBIUs8OVAagix6KI/Gold-smuggling-on-the-rise-as-imports-turn-costlier.html | title=Gold smuggling on the rise as imports turn costlier | date=2013-01-31 | last=Narayan | first=Khushboo | language=en | website=www.livemint.com}}</ref> The [[government of India]] in response to this made a series of hikes in the [[import duty]] of gold. This created a lucrative ground for an upsurge in gold smuggling to the country from abroad, predominantly the [[Middle East]].<ref>{{cite web | access-date=2020-12-23 | url=https://www.livemint.com/Politics/HWmmlOVvxDLUDn5noEtSgK/Government-hikes-import-duty-on-gold-and-silver-to-10.html | title=Govt hikes import duty on gold and silver to 10% | date=2013-08-13 | last=Nair | first=Remya | language=en | website=www.livemint.com}}</ref> While most of the smuggled gold enters India from the [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]], it is also smuggled through the porous borders India shares with [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], [[Bhutan]], and [[Myanmar]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dutta|first=Prabhash K. |title=What makes India a gold smuggling destination?|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/news-analysis/story/what-makes-india-a-gold-smuggling-destination-1700066-2020-07-13|date=2020-07-13|access-date=2020-08-10|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref>

Multiple cases of gold smuggling were reported from Kerala in the past and in its initial days in the 1970s the smuggling was lower volumes transported through sea. However post 2012 there was a surge in gold smuggling into Kerala through airports. The prominence of [[Gold business in Thrissur|Kerala Jewellery industry]] and high domestic demand for gold jewellery in state following [[Kerala Gulf diaspora|Gulf migration by Keralites]] along with quick and high returns on engaging in Gold smuggling propelled Gold smuggling through Kerala.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2015-06-05|title=Gold Jewellery Making and Migrant Labour Force in Kerala|url=https://www.epw.in/journal/2019/28/special-articles/gold-jewellery-making-and-migrant-labour-force.html|journal=Economic and Political Weekly|language=en|volume=54|issue=27|pages=7–8}}</ref> The smuggling and interception were more rampant through [[Calicut International Airport]] due to huge passenger traffic between the town and [[Gulf Cooperation Council|Gulf Cooperation Council nations]] which made concealment easier. In financial year 2013–14 the gold smuggled through Calicut airport was 70 kg in the previous year it was 12.5 kg only.<ref name="Menon">{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Keralas-jewellery-hub-becomes-big-destination-for-smuggled-gold/articleshow/44164641.cms|title=Kerala's jewellery hub becomes big destination for smuggled gold {{pipe}} India News|website=The Times of India|date=2014-10-03|author=Harish C.|accessdate=2020-12-28}}</ref> The smuggling of gold using carriers were rampant in other nearby airports in region too such as [[Mangalore International Airport]], [[Coimbatore International Airport]], [[Cochin International Airport]], [[Chennai Airport]] etc.

During the 2018–2019 fiscal year, customs had seized about 251 kg of gold from various airports in Kerala. In 2019–20, 540 kg was seized which was more than double compared to that of the previous year. About 802 cases, related to gold smuggling, were also registered in the same year.<ref name="timesofindia.indiatimes.com"/> The various reports by [[Kerala Police]] suspect [[Koduvally]] town as a major hub used by smugglers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kozhikode's Koduvally centre of gold smuggling? Women, children used as pawns; Involvement of extremist communal groups to fund terrorism|url=https://keralakaumudi.com/en/news/news.php?id=347680&u=kozhikodes-koduvally-centre-of-gold-smuggling-women-children-used-as-pawns-involvement-of-extremist-communal-groups-to-fund-terrorism-347680|access-date=2020-12-23|website=keralakaumudi.com}}</ref> It is roughly estimated that around 70% of Gold that is smuggled through [[Calicut International Airport]] is handled by various players in the town.<ref name="Menon"/> Over a period of time the smuggling activities has graduated from an economic offence to serious security threat to country, due to alleged cases of development of nexus between [[Smugglers]] and [[Non-state actor]]s predominantly [[Extremist Islamic|extremist organisations]] and violent mafia.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Anand|first=G.|date=2020-07-23|title=Gold smuggling spawns violent mafia|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/gold-smuggling-spawns-violent-mafia/article32173744.ece|access-date=2020-12-23|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is also alleged that big jewellery brands from [[Kerala]] engage in trading smuggled gold by using small bogus outfits as front.<ref>{{cite web | access-date=2020-12-23 | url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/income-tax-seuths-raid-kerala-based-jewellery-behemoth-joyalukkas-stores-and-cor/306648 | title=Income Tax sleuths raid Kerala-based Jewellery behemothJoyalukkas' Stores and Corporate Office | website=www.outlookindia.com/| date=10 January 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=2020-08-26|title=Four more arrested in gold smuggling case|language=en-IN|work=[[The Hindu]]|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/four-more-arrested-in-gold-smuggling-case/article32449390.ece|access-date=2020-12-23|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Smuggling bust casts pall on jeweller|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/smuggling-bust-casts-pall-on-jeweller-113112600356_1.html|access-date=2020-12-23|newspaper=Business Standard India|date=26 November 2013|language=en|last1=Joseph|first1=George}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | access-date=2020-12-23 | url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/news/kerala/sales-tax-notice-to-joy-alukkas-in-gold-smuggling-115415.html | title=സ്വര്‍ണക്കടത്തില്‍ ആലുക്കാസിനും പണി കിട്ടി | date=2013-12-03 | last=Chandran | first=Soorya | website=malayalam.oneindia.com|language=ml}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Malabar Gold raided by DRI|url=https://www.moneylife.in/article/malabar-gold-raided-by-dri-in-connection-with-smuggling-link/35447/47508.html|access-date=2020-12-23|website=Moneylife NEWS & VIEWS}}</ref>

==Incident==
On 30 June 2020, acting on an anonymous tip, the Customs officials at Trivandrum International Airport detained a diplomatic baggage from [[Dubai]] on suspicion of smuggling. Since the bag came under diplomatic immunity, opening it without following procedures was not possible, especially since a call claiming to be from secretary of the consulate general of the UAE consulate in Thiruvananthapuram asked the Customs to release the baggage.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/what-is-keralas-gold-smuggling-scam/articleshow/76846487.cms | title=What is Kerala's gold smuggling scam? | work=[[Times of India]] | date=8 July 2020 | accessdate=2020-07-08}}</ref>

On Sunday, 5 July 2020, the bag was opened in the presence of a senior officer from the high commissioner's office in Delhi and the consulate official whose name was on the baggage, to reveal the smuggled gold which weighed around 30 kg.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gold seized from diplomatic baggage at Thiruvananthapuram airport|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/gold-seized-from-diplomatic-baggage-at-thiruvananthapuram-airport-1.4882700|access-date=2020-08-09|website=Mathrubhumi|date=5 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The gold was concealed in baggage consisting of bathroom equipment.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bhandari|first=Shashwat|date=2020-07-06|title=30 kg gold hidden in diplomatic baggage seized at Trivandrum International Airport|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/india/gold-hidden-in-diplomats-bags-seized-at-trivandrum-international-airport-kerala-631949|access-date=2020-08-09|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref> Further investigation about the call led the initial inquiry to Swapna Prabha Suresh, an ex-UAE consulate employee and state IT department consultant.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2020/07/07/who-is-swapna-suresh-the-woman-with-abu-dhabi-links-accused-in-gold-smuggling-case.html | title=Who is Swapna Suresh, the woman with Abu Dhabi links accused in gold smuggling case? | work=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]] | date=7 July 2020 | accessdate=2020-07-07}}</ref> The Indian officials said that it was first time in history that such a large scale smuggling attempt happened under the name of a foreign nation's diplomatic office.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-07|title=Day after 30 kg gold seized at airport, Kerala IT dept staffer sacked; Oppn blames CM Vijayan|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/day-after-30-kg-gold-seized-at-airport-kerala-it-dept-staffer-sacked-oppn-blames-cm-pinarayi-vijayan-6493373/|access-date=2020-08-09|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

== Investigation ==
On 10 July 2020, NIA took up investigation and registered [[First Information Report|FIR]] under [[Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act]] against the 4 accused viz. Sarith Kumar, Swapna Suresh, Fazil Fareid, and Sandeep Nair.<ref>{{cite web|date=10 July 2020|title=NIA Takes up Investigation of Kerala Gold Smuggling Case|url=https://www.nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/849_1_Pr.pdf|website=nia.gov.in}}</ref> NIA subsequently arrested more persons connected with the case and seized many incriminating documents.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-08-15|title=Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA arrests four more suspects, seizes digital devices and 'incriminating documents'|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-nia-arrests-four-more-suspects-seizes-digital-devices-and-incriminating-documents-8713751.html|access-date=2020-09-25|website=Firstpost}}</ref> Enforcement Directorate also initiated a probe into the case on the suspicion that the proceeds were used to fund terror activities.<ref name="thehindu">{{Cite news|date=2020-07-22|title=ED launches probe into Kerala gold smuggling case|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/ed-launches-probe-into-kerala-gold-smuggling-case/article32166031.ece|access-date=2020-09-25|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> However, on 5 October, Swapna Suresh, the second accused was granted bail.

The accused was given statutory bail by the Economic Offences Court, Ernakulam, as the Customs could not file the final complaint within 60 days of arresting the accused.<ref name="thehindu2">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/swapna-gets-bail-in-customs-case/article32776663.ece|title=Swapna gets bail in Customs case|website=The Hindu|date=5 October 2020|accessdate=2020-12-28}}</ref>

On 15 October the NIA Special court granted bail for eight accused in the diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case while rejecting the application of two others.<ref name="thehindu3">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/bail-plea-of-eight-accused-in-gold-smuggling-case-granted/article32860964.ece|title=Bail plea of eight accused in gold smuggling case granted|website=The Hindu|date=15 October 2020|accessdate=2020-12-28|last1=Sudhi|first1=K. s.}}</ref>

Swapna Suresh, a former employee of UAE Consulate and one of the prime accused in the case, was a business development manager<ref name="indianexpress">{{Cite web|date=2020-07-11|title=Who is Swapna Suresh?|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/who-is/who-is-swapna-suresh-6497979/|access-date=2020-09-25|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> of a project undertaken by Space Park under Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited. She was appointed by [[PwC|PricewaterhouseCoopers]] as a temporary contractual employee.<ref name="thehindu4">{{Cite news|date=2020-07-09|title=NIA to investigate Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/nia-to-investigate-thiruvananthapuram-airport-gold-smuggling-case/article32034490.ece|access-date=2020-09-25|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is alleged that M Sivasankar recommended her for the post however no proof of the same has been found yet.<ref name="indianexpress"/> It was also revealed during police investigation that she had faked her educational qualification because of which KSITIL decided to seek probe against PwC for appointing her.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Fake degree certificate: KSITIL to seek probe against PwC for posting Swapna in govt project|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/11/fake-degree-certificate-ksitil-to-seek-probe-against-pwc-for-posting-swapna-in-govt-project-2168117.html|access-date=2020-09-25|website=The New Indian Express|date=11 July 2020 }}</ref> Swapna is also accused of aiding financial discrepancies in an apartment construction project in Vadakanchery.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Swapna Suresh, friends cheated each other for max gains|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/aug/18/swapna-suresh-friends-cheated-each-other-for-max-gains-2184746.html|access-date=2020-09-25|website=The New Indian Express|date=18 August 2020 }}</ref> An internal vigilance investigation was ordered by the state government on these allegations.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-09-23|title=Life Mission: Govt. orders Vigilance probe|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/life-mission-govt-orders-vigilance-probe/article32679513.ece|access-date=2020-09-27|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Immediately after this, a [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] probe was initiated at an unprecedented speed based on a complaint letter sent by Vadakanchery's [[Indian National Congress]] MLA stating that [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010]] was violated.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Life Mission: CBI tightens screws, Vigilance loses relevance|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/sep/27/life-mission-cbi-tightens-screws-vigilance-loses-relevance-2202407.html|access-date=2020-09-27|website=The New Indian Express|date=27 September 2020 }}</ref> However High Court stayed this investigation by the [[California Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] after it was revealed that the project in question does not come under [[Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010|FCRA]].

NIA identified K.T. Ramees, a businessman from Malappuram who was earlier arrested by the customs, as the kingpin of the operation.<ref name="thehindu"/> According to a report by ''India Today'', Ramees is a relative of the former Education minister, Chakkeeri Ahammed Kutty, and Malappuram MP [[P. K. Kunhalikutty|P.K. Kunhalikutty]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jacob|first=Jeemon |title=Golden Noose|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20200727-golden-noose-1701599-2020-07-18|orig-date=2020-07-18|date=2020-07-27|access-date=2020-09-25|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref><ref name="newindianexpress">{{Cite web|title=Gold smuggling case: Rameez, a suspected link in racket, nabbed|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/13/rameez-a-suspected-link-in-racket-nabbed-2168949.html|access-date=2020-09-25|website=The New Indian Express|date=13 July 2020 }}</ref> According to customs, Ramees is also an accused in other unconnected cases involving poaching and smuggling.<ref name="newindianexpress"/>

[[Fazil Fareed]], the third accused in the case, and the person who allegedly sent the consignment to the UAE consulate was arrested and questioned by the Dubai police.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Faisal Fareed, third accused in gold smuggling case, arrested by Dubai Police|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/19/faisal-fareed-third-accused-in-gold-smuggling-case-arrested-by-dubai-police-2171937.html|access-date=2020-09-25|website=The New Indian Express|date=20 July 2020 }}</ref> It is alleged that Fazil Fareed also produced some south Indian films.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Emanuel|first=Gladwin|title=Kerala gold smuggling case: Dubai-based Faisal Fareed's extradition likely to throw more light on the case|url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/news/india/kerala-gold-smuggling-dubai-based-faisal-fareeds-extradition-likely-to-throw-more-light-on-the-case/articleshow/77123366.cms|date=2020-07-23|access-date=2020-09-25|website=Bangalore Mirror|language=en}}</ref>

==Bureaucrats questioned==
*'''M Sivashankar''', an IAS officer was in the centre of the scandal due to his association with the accused Swapna Suresh. Sivashankar was removed from the posts of Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister and [[Information Technology]] (IT) secretary after reports of his association with Swapna Suresh, charged by the National Investigation Agency in the smuggling racket.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-chief-secretary-m-sivasankar-pinarayi-vijayan-6500361/ | title=M Sivasankar: Bureaucrat who plugged Kerala into digital world | work=[[Indian Express]] | date=11 July 2020 | accessdate=2020-07-11}}</ref> The court hearing the case has however expressed displeasure over the lack of evidence justifying the arrest of the IAS officer despite months of investigation and multiple rounds of questioning. It was also recorded in court that ED had pressured the officer to name political targets.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/pressured-by-ed-to-name-politicians-sivasankar-tells-court/article33109472.ece/|title=Gold smuggling case: Pressured by ED to name politicians, Sivasankar tells court|newspaper=The Hindu|date=16 November 2020}}</ref>
{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

==TV journalist questioned==
*'''Anil Nambiar''', a TV journalist and coordinating editor of [[Janam TV]] has been questioned by Enforcement Directorate of India in connection with Gold smuggling on 27 August 2020. He was in touch with accused Swapna Suresh on 5 July, the day Customs recovered the smuggled gold.<ref name="indianexpress2">{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-anil-nambiar-janam-tv-customs-department-6573777/|title=Kerala gold smuggling case: Day after questioning, Janam TV journalist says 'staying away from responsibilities' |website=indianexpress.com|date=28 August 2020|accessdate=2020-12-28}}</ref> Two pages of a leaked document, part of the statement given by Swapna Suresh to the Customs and submitted in the Economic Offences Court in a sealed envelope appeared in the media.<ref name="MB1">{{cite news |title=Swapna Suresh's leaked statement wasn't given even to lawyer considering confidentiality: Reports |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/swapna-suresh-s-leaked-statement-wasn-t-given-even-to-lawyer-considering-confidentiality-reports-1.5024134 |accessdate=2020-09-19 |agency=Mathrubhumi |date=3 September 2020}}</ref> As per her statement, Anil asked her to get a press release issued from the consulate general claiming that it was not diplomatic baggage which contained gold, but a private baggage. But this plan could allegedly not be followed through by the parties involved.<ref name="MB3">{{cite news |title=Anil Nambiar sought help for BJP, reveals Swapna Suresh |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/anil-nambiar-sought-help-for-bjp-reveals-swapna-suresh-1.5013426 |accessdate=2020-09-19 |publisher=Mathrubhumi |date=29 August 2020 |archive-date=8 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608115521/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/anil-nambiar-sought-help-for-bjp-reveals-swapna-suresh-1.5013426 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Reactions==
Following the issue, Ahmed Al Banna, UAE's ambassador to India, told the media that he will coordinate with officials in Kerala for the investigation into the incident. UAE embassy released an official statement that said that the gold smuggling in Trivandrum and its diplomatic role had no role in the matter. The statement said the embassy "condemns the attempted misuse of diplomatic channels by an individual engaged in smuggling activity" and "firmly rejected such acts".<ref>{{cite web|date=7 July 2020|title=UAE embassy says diplomats had no role in gold smuggling case|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/uae-embassy-says-diplomats-had-no-role-in-gold-smuggling-case/story-D7KTWVzDX8Jx6XFS0NQImM.html|accessdate=2020-07-07|work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> However, the UAE consulate's admin attache left the country on 12 June 2020, even before [[National Investigation Agency]] could question him.<ref>{{cite web|date=16 July 2020|title=After being linked to Kerala gold smuggling case, UAE consulate admin attache leaves India|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jul/16/after-being-linked-to-kerala-gold-smuggling-case-uae-consulate-admin-attache-leaves-india-2170618.html|accessdate=2020-07-16|work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref>

The [[Indian National Congress|Congress party]] demanded the resignation of Pinarayi Vijayan over the alleged involvement of his office in the case. [[Ramesh Chennithala]], opposition leader in [[Kerala Legislative Assembly|state legislative]], stated that "the current government in the state has tarnished the image of Kerala worldwide". [[Mullappally Ramachandran]], state chief of the congress party, demanded a probe by [[Research and Analysis Wing|RAW]]. [[UDF (Kerala)|UDF]], a coalition led by the Congress party, also organised an online sit-in protest.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kerala gold smuggling case: Congress demands CBI probe, seeks Pinarayi Vijayan's resignation |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/india-news/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-congress-demands-cbi-probe-seeks-pinarayi-vijayans-resignation/2044064/ |work=The Financial Express |date=4 August 2020}}</ref>

[[Bharatiya Janata Party]], the party leading the coalition ruling the country has organised [[hunger strike]]s seeking resignation of [[Chief Minister of Kerala]]. Several prominent leaders of the party including [[V. Muraleedharan]], Minister of state for External Affairs, took part in the hunger strike.<ref>{{cite news | title= Kerala gold smuggling case: BJP leaders to go on hunger strike, demand CM's resignation |url=https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/kerala-gold-smuggling-case-bjp-leaders-to-go-on-hunger-strike-demand-cms-resignation20200730180912/ | date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

[[CPI(M)]], the party ruling the state, accused that the central Minister of State for External Affairs [[V. Muraleedharan]] was trying to interfere with the investigation by claiming that the gold seized was not diplomatic cargo. His claim was allegedly proven wrong when the Finance Ministry informed the Parliament that the gold was smuggled through diplomatic baggage. [[CPI(M)]] state secretariat said that "Muraleedharan does not have the right to remain in office and should resign" and that "smuggling through diplomatic channels had become rampant after Muraleedharam assumed office". The party said that Swapna Suresh, the key accused had given a statement to the NIA that the head of [[Janam TV]], Anil Nambiar, had asked her to tell the customs officials that the baggage was not a diplomatic one. The party also raised the fact that some members of the Customs investigation team were removed from the case after he was questioned. Chief Minister [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] stated that "Muraleedharan was not functioning as per the position he is holding".<ref name="OL01">{{cite magazine |title='Muraleedharan trying to influence gold smuggling case probe' |accessdate=2020-09-19 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/muraleedharan-trying-to-influence-gold-smuggling-case-probe/1935870 |magazine=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]] |date=14 September 2020}}</ref>

==References==
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{{Alleged scams in India}}
{{Corporate scandals}}
{{Corruption in India}}
{{Scams and confidence tricks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2020 Kerala gold smuggling case}}
[[Category:21st-century scandals]]
[[Category:Cover-ups]]
[[Category:2020 crimes in India]]
[[Category:Crime in Kerala]]
[[Category:Political corruption in India]]
[[Category:Corruption in Kerala]]
[[Category:Smuggling in India]]
[[Category:Corporate crime]]
[[Category:Corporate scandals]]
[[Category:Criminal investigation]]
[[Category:Organised crime in India]]
[[Category:Financial scandals]]
[[Category:Finance fraud]]
[[Category:Scandals in India]]
[[Category:2020 scandals]]
[[Category:Gold in India]]
[[Category:Diplomatic documents]]
[[Category:Diplomatic immunity and protection]]
[[Category:2020s in Kerala]]
[[Category:2020 in Indian politics]]

2020 Kerala gold smuggling case - Revision history

Miquel41G60448 at 17:35, 11 April 2026