Kerala Gold Smuggling Accused Committed Terror Act: Probe Agency NIA On Bail Plea

NIA also told the high court that Swapna Suresh and others, involved in the gold smuggling case, were also aware that their actions would damage India's relations with UAE.

Swapna Suresh and others committed a terrorist act by smuggling 167 kg of gold into India from UAE between November 2019 to June 2020 as they knew that doing so would threaten the security and economic stability of the country, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has told the Kerala High Court. NIA has also told the high court that Suresh and others, involved in the smuggling of gold through diplomatic channels, were also aware that their actions would damage India's relations with UAE and therefore, the offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for terrorist act, conspiracy and being part of a terror organisation are made out. The agency's submissions were made opposing the bail application of Suresh, represented by advocate Sooraj T Elenjickal, who approached the high court against the NIA court order dismissing her plea for bail. She has contended that the case against her will not stand the test of law and that the trial in the case was prolonging endlessly.