Thiruvananthapuram:
M Sivasankar, the previous principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate within the gold smuggling case. The suspended officer was taken in custody for questioning by the probe company this morning, quickly after the Kerala Excessive Court docket rejected his anticipatory bail request.
The Kerala gold smuggling case – that has been at centre of the state’s politics – is being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, the Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) and the Customs Division. It entails the smuggling of not less than 30 kg gold allegedly by means of diplomatic channels in July. The gold value Rs 14.82 crore was seized on the Thiruvananthapuram airport from diplomatic baggage meant to be delivered to the UAE consulate on July 5.
M Sivasankar had been questioned a number of instances by the three central probe companies amid allegations of shut hyperlinks with the accused within the gold smuggling case.
On Wednesday morning, officers took him into custody from the Triveni Nursing House in Thiruvananthapuram, the place he had been admitted.
The suspended IAS officer had petitioned the courtroom saying he was questioned by a number of probe companies for greater than 90 hours, however they’ve “not submitted any report or incriminating supplies towards him”, earlier than the courtroom.
The petitioner had said he feared that “underneath media propaganda and fixed demand for his arrest”, the probe companies would act underneath stress.
Nonetheless, the Enforcement Directorate and the Customs Division, had strongly opposed the anticipatory bail petition.
The Enforcement Directorate had advised the courtroom that it is a case the place “custodial interrogation” could also be required, as acceptable, and that M Sivasankar had remained “evasive” on sure info when questioned. The company additionally advised the courtroom that the officer was in common contact with the accused.
The Customs Division challenged the petition saying M Sivasankar faked sickness, bought admitted in a hospital the place his spouse labored, to keep away from questioning by the officers, regardless of notices served.
The IAS officer was eliminated because the principal secretary to the Kerala Chief Minister, and subsequently suspended, as allegations of his shut hyperlinks to the accused in gold smuggling case emerged.