Govt. extended undue benefits to consulate staff: Customs
The Hindu
Facility used to cover up their illegal activities
The Customs has blamed the State Government of extending undue benefits to the UAE Consul General and diplomats in violation of protocols, which they misused to cover up their illegal activities.
The State Government had provided Consul General Jamal Hussein Alzaabi, X Category protection though he faced no evident threats. The Consul General misused the facility to cover up all his illegal activities, including smuggling. The State Government issued diplomatic identity card to persons who were not holding diplomatic status, which was misused by them at airports and other places to shield their illegal activities, submitted the Customs in the final complaint in the diplomatic channel gold smuggling case. The final complaint was filed before the Economic Offences Court, Ernakulam, on Friday.
The statements of the officials of the State Protocol Department revealed that Ministers and senior Government officials had bypassed the department regarding the relations maintained by them with the UAE Consulate. The protocol officials were kept in the dark about such relations, the agency noted.