30 May , 2024 By : Debdeep Gupta
In 2020, Kerala was rocked by a gold scam following the Customs seizure of 30 kgs of gold at Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic bag. The NIA subsequently took over the investigation
Delhi Customs on May 30 detained two people at Delhi airport for allegedly smuggling 500 grams of gold. One of those detained claimed he was the personal assistant of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Gold valued at Rs. 35.22 Lakhs was seized under section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. The circumstances surrounding the acquisition of the permit, as part of the protocol team for a member of parliament, are under scrutiny, Delhi Customs said.
Reacting to the incident, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said he was shocked to learn that a former member of his staff was detained at the Delhi airport for allegedly trying to smuggle gold. Shiv Prasad, an aide of Mr Tharoor, was caught at the IGI Airport with gold worth Rs 35 lakh.
Tharoor said he supports the authorities in their investigation and does not condone any alleged wrongdoing.
"While I am in Dharamshala for campaigning purposes, I was shocked to hear of an incident involving a former member of my staff who has been rendering part-time service to me in terms of airport facilitation assistance," Mr Tharoor said in a post on X (formerly Twitter)
Shashi Tharoor, the incumbent MP, is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency, which went to polls on April 26. BJP has fielded Rajeev Chandrasekhar from the seat.
In 2020, Kerala was rocked by a gold scam following the Customs seizure of 30 kgs of gold at Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic bag. The NIA subsequently took over the investigation. M Sivasankar, the principal secretary to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, was suspended and removed from his post amidst allegations of his links with one accused.
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