Shashi Tharoor said 'shocked, law must take its own course' after Customs detains his former aide for smuggling gold at Delhi airport

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor dissociated himself from any alleged misconduct on Thursday after Delhi Customs detained two individuals, one of whom claimed to be the MP's personal assistant in a case involving suspected gold smuggling. He stated that the law must have its own course.

In a post on X, Tharoor said that the individual in custody is a former employee who has been working for him on a part-time basis. Additionally, he offered the authorities his assistance in taking whatever required measures.

"While I am in Dharamshala for campaigning purposes, I was shocked to hear of an incident involving a former member of my staff who has been rendering part-time service to me in terms of airport facilitation assistance. He is a 72 year old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis and was retained on a part-time basis on compassionate grounds," the Congress MP posted on X.


"I do not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully support the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary action that may be required to investigate the matter. The law must take its own course," he added.


In a related incident involving suspected gold smuggling, Delhi Customs earlier on Wednesday detained two individuals at the Delhi International Airport. One of the inmates identified himself as Shiv Kumar Prasad and stated that he is Shashi Tharoor's personal assistant, according to sources in Customs.

An individual had arrived from Dubai, and Shiv Kumar Prasad had traveled to the Delhi Airport to welcome them. When the passenger attempted to give Prasad about 500 grams of gold, both of them were taken into custody. Prasad is able to enter the airport grounds because he possesses the aerodrome entry permit card. According to the sources, he entered the airport grounds and was given a packet when he and the passenger were detained.

According to the Customs officials, 500 grams of gold were found in the custody of Prasad and the passenger, who were both placed under arrest. The sources said that their credentials have been confirmed and that the situation is currently being investigated.

Referencing the article on the suspected aide of Shashi Tharoor's imprisonment, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized the Congress and the CPM, branding them as a "alliance of gold smugglers."

"CM Secy was first implicated in gold smuggling; now, a Cong MP "aide" or PA is being held for gold smuggling." Alliance of gold smugglers: CPM and Cong, both allies in the INDI alliance "Chandrasekhar stated on X.


As the NDA candidate from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, Chandrasekhar will be up against formidable opposition from senior Congressman and former diplomat Tharoor, who is running for a third term.

[With ANI inputs]