MHA gives nod to NIA probe into Kerala Gold Smuggling Case
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New Delhi, July 10: Days after the Kerala gold smuggling scandal came to light, the Ministry of Home Affairs permitted the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the Thiruvananthapuram Airport Gold smuggling case.
"MHA permits National Investigation Agency to investigate the Thiruvananthapuram Airport Gold smuggling case, as the organized smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security," the Home Ministry said.
MHA permits National Investigation Agency (@NIA_India ) to investigate the Thiruvananthapuram Airport Gold smuggling case, as the organised smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security.@HMOIndia @PIB_India @airnewsalerts @DDNewslive
— Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) July 9, 2020
The Ministry said the decision has been taken as the organized smuggling operation may have serious implications for national security. The Opposition has already demanded CM Vijayan's resignation for an 'impartial probe' as there are speculations that CPM leaders including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Speaker of state assembly P Sreeramakrishnan and others, are allegedly involved in the gold smuggling case.
To avoid backlash from the Centre, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an effective investigation into the seizure of gold worth crores of rupees from diplomatic baggage at the airport in the state capital.
The gold, weighing over 30 kg, was seized from the diplomatic baggage that had landed by air cargo at Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram International airport recently from the Gulf.