Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA custody of Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair extended

The Kerala gold smuggling scam came to light after the Customs department seized 30 kg gold from an air cargo consignment from the UAE to the country’s consulate in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5.  

Kochi: The NIA custody of accused in Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, has been extended till July 24. The duo has filed a bail application in the special NIA court, Ernakulam. 

Suresh and another accused Sandeep Nair were brought to the special NIA court as the eight-day custody period granted to the National Investigation Agency was supposed to end today.

Considering the agency's plea seeking extension of their custody, the court extended the same till Friday.

The court is likely to consider Swapna Suresh's bail plea on July 24.

In her plea, she alleged that she was implicated in the crime on a wild imagination without any basis and the case was the offshoot of the political rivalry between the state and Central governments, triggered by the colourful and fictitious stories aired by the media.

She claimed that there was no prima facie evidence to attract an offence under Sections 15, 16 and 17 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in the case being investigated by the NIA.

Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair were arrested by the NIA from Bengaluru on July 11.

Central agencies have arrested 15 people in connection with the seizure of gold worth nearly Rs 15 crore from a "diplomatic baggage" at the Thiruvananthapuram International airport on July 5.

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