MHA allows NIA to probe Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case

NEW DELHI: The Centre has asked the National Investigation Agency to take up the investigations into the gold smuggling racket in Kerala, a day after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking a central probe into the case.

“MHA has permitted NIA to investigate the Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case, as the organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security. Kerala CM had earlier written to the PM for a probe by central agencies,” a home ministry statement said in New Delhi on Thursday.

In his letter to Modi, Vijayan said, “the case has more than one angle, warranting a thorough investigation. It is requested that an effective and coordinated investigation into this incident by all central agencies concerned is the need of the hour.”


The row erupted after Thiruvananthapuram Air Customs seized a diplomatic bag meant for the UAE consulate on Sunday and found 30 kg gold worth Rs. 13.5 crore hidden in pipes, door locks and other items meant for the consulate. Swapna Suresh, a former UAE consulate and marketing liaison officer of the state’s Space Park, is the main accused in the case. Following allegations of his link with Suresh, M Sivashankar, principal secretary of IT, a department directly under Vijayan’s supervision, was relieved of his charge and directed to go on long leave.