The probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the national security implications of the case relating to the smuggling of gold via air cargo shipments addressed to the UAE consulate here appeared to be edging closer to at least two State police officers on Saturday.
By some accounts, the NIA has evinced interest in a policeman who worked on deputation as a personal security officer (PSO) to a top consulate official. The officer had surrendered his official sidearm after the diplomat left for the UAE. He later went missing and the police found him hiding in an abandoned plot near his house. They found his conduct erratic and have recorded his statement. They have also verified his phone contacts and singled out a colleague of his who had worked in the emigration for questioning.
The Customs has also evinced interest in the former PSO because he had worked in the consulate alongside P.S. Sarith and Swapna Suresh, the first and second accused in the smuggling case respectively.
Meanwhile, the NIA escorted Swapna and Sandeep Nair, another accused in the case, to the capital. The NIA agents took them to several premises, including a highrise in which former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan M. Sivasankar, held a rented apartment. The Customs had inspected the place earlier on the suspicion that the accused could have used another apartment on the same floor to open shipments containing contraband gold.
The NIA’s presence here triggered speculations that the agency might question Mr. Sivasankar, who had alleged association with the alleged smugglers. An inquiry by a committee headed by Chief Secretary Vishwas Mehta had found that Mr Sivasankar had “made a reference to appoint a person (Swapna)”, working at the time as secretary to the Consul General, UAE, as operations manager, Space Park. The committee had also pointed out that “such association and frequent contacts with a foreign consulate official” violated the All India Service Conduct Rules, 1968. It said it had recommended Mr. Sivasankar’s suspension from service “in view of the wider ramifications of this case”.
Three arrested
Special Correspondent writes from Kochi: The Customs on Saturday recorded the arrest of three more persons in connection with the gold smuggling case. They were Jifsal of Vattakinar, Kozhikode; Abdu P.T. of Kozhichena, Malappuram; and Muhammed Abdu Shameem of Koduvally, Kozhikode. The accused were suspected to have close links with K.T. Rameez, a Malappuram-based businessman who was arrested in connection with the case, and Jalal, a native of Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam who was held on Tuesday.
