Gold smuggling case: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan rebuts prime accused Swapna Suresh's allegations of his involvement

Prime accused Swapna Suresh said, "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." 

Kochi: Kerala gold smuggling case took a new twist on Tuesday when prime accused Swapna Suresh revealed that she has declared in court about the involvement of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his wife and daughter in the matter. She claimed that baggage containing currency was sent to Vijayan when he was in Dubai in 2016, but the Chief Minister sharply reacted and termed Swapna Suresh`s allegations a "part of the political agenda".

"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.

She said that she only followed the instructions of Sivasankar and did what he said to her, adding "Surprisingly, we have delivered biriyani vessels with huge weight from the Consul General`s house to Cliff House (CM`s official house) in the vehicle of the consulate. This was according to the instructions of Sivasankar. It was not just biryani, it had metal objects. There have been many incidents like this. When taken to Cliff House I think it`s common sense (on asking about whether CM is aware or not)." 

Urging the court and the probe 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."