NIA says Kerala gold smuggling accused have links with Dawood Ibrahim

The NIA has submitted before the court that some of the accused in the case have links to underworld don and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.

The National Investigation Agency which is probing the Kerala gold smuggling racket has made a starling revelation before the special court in Kochi.

The NIA has submitted before the court that some of the accused in the case have links to underworld don and terrorist Dawood Ibrahim.

The agency also claims that the accused repeatedly visited Tanzania where the Karachi-based wanted criminal has extensive operations.

The NIA submission came when the accused challenged their indictment under the stringent Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. 

According to media reports, the NIA said accused number 5 KT Ramees and accused No 13 M Sharafuddin visited Tanzania a number of times and allegedly met Dawood's contact Feroze 'Oasis' to discuss ways to smuggle firearms into the country.

It also said one of the arrested -- Muhamad Ali, who was accused of chopping off the palm of a college teacher who prepared a controversial question paper but was later acquitted by a court in 2015, had close links with some fundamentalist outfits conspiring against the country. 

The court is expected to deliver its verdict on Friday