Investigation edit
On 10 July 2020, NIA took up investigation and registered FIR under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against the 4 accused viz. Sarith P.S., Swapna Prabha Suresh, Fazil Fareed, and Sandeep Nair.[1] [2] NIA subsequently arrested more persons connected with the case and seized many incriminating documents.[3] Enforcement Directorate also initiated a probe into the case on the suspicion that the proceeds were used to fund terror activities.[4]
Swapna Prabha Suresh, a former employee of UAE Consulate and one of the prime accused in the case, was appointed by the state government as the business development manager[5] of the Space Park project under Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited.[1] During the Investigation, it was revealed that M Sivasankar recommended her name for the post of manager at Space Park.[5] I was also revealed that she had faked her educational qualification.[6] Swapna also received commission from the contractor for the Life Mission housing project, a Kerala government welfare project.[7] An internal vigilance investigation was ordered by the state government on these allegations.[8] Immediately after this, a CBI probe was also launched citing FCRA violations.[9]
NIA identified K.T. Ramees, a businessman from Malappuram who was earlier arrested by the customs, as the kingpin of the operation.[4] 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.[10] However, personal assistant of P.K. Kunhalikutty refuted the allegations.[11] According to customs, Ramees is also an accused in other unconnected cases involving poaching and smuggling.[11]
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.[12] It is alleged that Fazil Fareed also produced some south Indian films.[13]
Possible Addition to Background edit
Prior to the Gold Smuggling Scandal coming to light, the Kerala Government, under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was facing backlashes with regard to hiring PricewaterhouseCoopers without following adequate protocol. PwC provided consulting service to Kerala government's Department of Transport and its Space Park project. The PwC-Kerala Government alliance was facing corruption allegations led by Opposition leader with regard to several projects such as BevQ, KPhone, Sprinklr[14] and the E-Mobility Consultancy[15]. The opening of the PwC office in Kerala secretariat had attracted serious criticism from the opposition party.[16]
It was amidst this that the recruitment of Swapna Suresh came into question. PwC was criticized for appointing Swapna Suresh. Kerala government considered PwC to have primary liability recruiting Ms. Swapna Suresh, and following an investigation, the Kerala government decided to terminate the consultancy services of PwC for the proposed Space Park project in Thiruvananthapuram.[17]
- ^ a b "NIA to investigate Thiruvananthapuram airport gold smuggling case". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2020-07-09. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "NIA takes up investigation in Kerala gold smuggling case; registers cases against four under UAPA - India News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ "Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA arrests four more suspects, seizes digital devices and 'incriminating documents' - India News , Firstpost". Firstpost. 2020-08-15. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ a b "ED launches probe into Kerala gold smuggling case". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2020-07-22. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b "Who is Swapna Suresh?". The Indian Express. 2020-07-11. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ "Fake degree certificate: KSITIL to seek probe against PwC for posting Swapna in govt project". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ "Swapna Suresh, friends cheated each other for max gains". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ "Life Mission: Govt. orders Vigilance probe". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2020-09-23. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Life Mission: CBI tightens screws, Vigilance loses relevance". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-27.
- ^ July 18, Jeemon Jacob New Delhi; July 27, 2020 ISSUE DATE:; July 18, 2020UPDATED:; Ist, 2020 11:30. "Golden Noose". India Today. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite web}}:|first4=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Gold smuggling case: Rameez, a suspected link in racket, nabbed". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ "Faisal Fareed, third accused in gold smuggling case, arrested by Dubai Police". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ Jul 23, ByGladwin EmmanuelGladwin Emmanuel / Updated:; 2020; Ist, 13:02. "Kerala gold smuggling case: Dubai-based Faisal Fareed's extradition likely to throw more light on the case". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Apr 28, TNN /; 2020; Ist, 14:05. "Sprinklr: Ramesh Chennithala tells Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan to go for probe by CBI | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Chennithala alleges graft in e-mobility consultancy". The Hindu. Special Correspondent. 2020-06-28. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ "Congress objects to opening PricewaterhouseCoopers office in Kerala Secretariat". The News Minute. 2020-07-03. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
- ^ Jul 15, TNN / Updated:; 2020; Ist, 13:49. "Government to terminate PwC's consultancy for Space Park | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
{{cite web}}:|last2=has numeric name (help)CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)