Kerala gold smuggling: After ED, minister Jaleel may be questioned by NIA, Customs

 After the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Customs department may also question higher education minister KT Jaleel in the gold smuggling case.

Kochi: Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA)  in Kochi will interrogate minister KT Jaleel in connection with the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case. A day ago, the Enforcement Directorate also questioned the minister as part of the probe into the case.

According to reports, the Customs will record statements as per the Customs Act 108 over the diplomatic baggage. It is learned that customs will serve notice to Jaleel for interrogation.

The report added that the ED examined the minister's statement. The minister was grilled for about three hours regarding his admission about accepting consignments of religious books from the UAE through diplomatic channel, an act purportedly seen as an FCRA violation.

The minister appeared before the ED in Kochi in a private vehicle and the questioning continued for about three hours. A top official said some of his statements were contradictory and he will be summoned again for more clarity.

The minister maintained that it was not questioning and he will cooperate with the ongoing probe.