Kerala Gold Smuggling Case: CM Pinarayi Vijayan refutes allegations of Swapna Suresh

National

Swapna Suresh, a witness in the infamous gold smuggling in diplomatic bags case in Kerala, stated that the key suspect was forcefully removed from her home on Wednesday after she testified in court about the suspected participation of others, including Kerala Chief Minister.

“I have already given 164 statements in court about a threat to my life. I have declared in court about all the people involved in this case. I have also filed a petition seeking protection in court. They are considering it. I have declared in the court about what is the involvement of M Sivasankar (then principal secretary to Kerala CMO), the Chief Minister, CM`s wife Kamala, CM`s daughter Veena, his secretary CM Raveendran, then Chief Secretary Nalini Netto IAS, then minister KT Jaleel,” ANI quoted Swapna Suresh as saying.

“Way back in 2016, Sivasankar contacted me while the Chief Minister was in Dubai. At that time, I was the secretary at the consulate. Sivasankar told me that the CM had forgotten a bag which should be delivered to Dubai immediately. As per the instruction of the consulate general, the bag was handed over to a diplomat at the consulate. When the bag was brought in by the consulate official, we realised that it contained currency. We have a scanning machine in the consulate. Then we have to scan whatever parcel arrives there. That`s how it all started,” she was further quoted.

Urging the court and the investigating agencies to conduct proper investigation, Swapna said, “Everything else has been said in court. There is a case going on and the investigation should be proper. If everyone is involved, according to the decree of involvement, the court and the investigation agencies should listen to an accused and understand what is their involvement.”

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan slammed lead accused Swapna Suresh’s charges in the Kerala gold smuggling case, calling them “political agenda.” The accused, according to CM Vijayan, keep repeating the same statements.

“These comments by the accused are part of the political agenda. The public had already dismissed this agenda. After an interval, they are making the accused repeat the same statement. There is not even an iota of facts in this allegation. If you think that by spreading these lies, you can destroy the determination of the government and political leadership, I am reminding you that this is a futile exercise,” ANI quoted CM Vijayan as saying.

“I strongly believe that society will give an apt reply to those who think that they can benefit from this,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the public will dismiss the “fake allegations” aimed at tarnishing his government.