Swapna Suresh, the key accused in the multi-crore gold scam, has named Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan as having been involved in smuggling and several illegal monetary transactions.
In a sensational twist just ahead of the Kerala assembly polls, Suresh has allegedly informed the Customs Department of the same which in turn has submitted so in an affidavit to the Kerala High Court.
According to Republicworld, the affidavit states that the chief minister was in direct touch with the UAE Consulate General in the scam.
That’s not all. Swapna has also named three other cabinet ministers, including Kerala speaker P Sreramakrishnan in the gold smuggling case. Swapna Suresh allegedly mediated the talks between the chief minister and the Consulate General as the CM does not speak Arabic. Swapna has alleged that the CM and ministers got crores of money as commission in the deal. The Customs Department has also collected evidence based on Swapna’s statement, it informed the court.
Following the massive revelation, the Opposition has begun demanding the resignation of Pinarayi Vijayan.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said: “His activities amount to sedition and he should immediately resign,” he tweeted.
BJP leader and former Union Minister KJ Alphons said there is no way the Vijayan can wash his hands off the case now. “Nothing in Kerala happens without his knowledge. He is certainly involved and criminally liable,” he told Republic TV.
The matter, which pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels, came to light after 30 kg gold worth Rs 14.82 crores smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage was busted by the Customs in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5, 2020.
