Kerala gold smuggling: NIA special court dismisses accused Swapna's bail plea

 The NIA had said there was prima facie evidence to the effect that the accused Swapna Suresh intentionally committed the act
 

The key accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case Swapna Suresh's bail plea was dismissed by a National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) special court on Monday (August 10).
 

The plea was dismissed considering the evidence produced by the investigation agency on the alleged role of Swapna in the smuggling of gold worth over Rs 100 crore through the diplomatic channel since November last year.

The NIA added that there was prima facie evidence to the effect that the accused intentionally committed the act and it falls directly under Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Swapna in her plea said that she was implicated in the crime without any basis. She added the case was an offshoot of the "political rivalry" between the state and central governments and fictitious stories aired by the media.

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.