Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sought "effective and coordinated investigation" into the seizure of 30kg of gold worth about Rs 13.5 crore that was being smuggled into the state from the UAE in a diplomatic baggage.
In the letter, dated July 8, 2020, the chief minister wrote, "I invite your kind attention to the seizure of about 30 kg of gold by the Customs Officials Trivandrurn International Airport on July 5, 2020."
He said the fact that the gold was being smuggled into the state in diplomatic baggage makes the crime extremely serious and added that the case has serious implications on the economy of the nation.
"The fact that the attempt to smuggle huge quantity of gold was concealed in diplomatic baggage makes the matter extremely serious. It is learnt that customs officials are conducting inquiry into the incident. The case has serious implications as this undermines the economy of the nation. In fact, it has more than one angle warranting a thorough investigation," the chief minister wrote.
Further, the CM urged PM Modi to ensure "an effective and coordinated investigation into this incident by all central agencies," and added that the "scope of the probe should cover all aspects from the source to the end utilization."
"Every link of this crime should be unraveled so that such incidents do not recur. I assure you that the state government will provide all necessary assistance and support to the agencies involved in the investigation. I request your immediate intervention for an effective and coordinated investigation into this crime," the letter, which the chief minister shared on his Facebook page, read.
Earlier, the opposition UDF had demanded a CBI probe into the crime, while BJP state president K. Surendran alleged that the CMO was shielding the suspects behind the operation.
