Kochi: Swapna Suresh is the prime accused in the gold smuggling case in Kerala. Swapna Suresh has made ‘shocking revelations’ against Chief Minister Pinrayi Vijayan, Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and some ministers. The accusations are in regard to the dollar ‘smuggling’ involving UAE consulate officials. This was claimed Friday by the Customs, probing the case, in the Kerala High Court.
The affidavit filed in the court. It came weeks before the Assembly elections in Kerala. The Customs said Suresh made the ‘revelations’ in statements given to the agency under section 108 and 164 of the CrPC.
“It is submitted that in the 108 statement and 164 statement the first respondent had made shocking revelations about the Hon’ble chief minister, Hon’ble speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly and some Hon’ble ministers of the state cabinet,” the affidavit filed by Customs (Preventive) Commissioner Sumit Kumar claimed.
Suresh had also alleged that the chief minister had close connection with the previous Consul General of UAE. She gave statements that illegal monetary transactions were carried out, it said.
“She has stated with clarity about smuggling of foreign currency at the instance of the Hon’ble chief minister and the Hon’ble Speaker with the help of the Consulate,” the affidavit claimed.
Also read: Kerala gold smuggling case: New Swapna Suresh recording creates stir
The dollar case relates to alleged smuggling of USD 1,90,000 (equivalent to Rs 1.30 crore) by a former finance head of the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram to Muscat in Oman.
Suresh and co-accused Sarith PS in the gold smuggling case are also allegedly involved in the dollar case and had already been arrested by the Customs.
“Suresh has also stated with clarity about smuggling of foreign currency at the instance of the Hon’ble chief minister and the Hon’ble speaker with the help of the Consulate,” the Customs maintained.
The affidavit was filed in response to a petition filed by the state government challenging certain remarks in the order of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences) Court while providing security to Suresh, currently lodged in the women’s Prison and Correctional Home in Thiruvananthapuram.
Suresh had given a statement to the magistrate alleging that she had been intimidated by some people who were identifiable in prison while she was in judicial custody. They warned her of consequences if she revealed the names of high- profile persons involved in the smuggling activities.
