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Updated January 27th, 2021 at 16:44 IST

Kerala Gold Smuggling Case: After HC grants bail, M Sivasankar sent to judicial custody

After Kerala HC on Monday granted bail to CM's former secretary Sivasankar, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court sent him to judicial custody till Feb 9

Reported by: Gargi Rohatgi
M Sivasankar
| Image:self
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After Kerala High Court on Monday granted bail to former Principal Secretary to Chief Minister M Sivasankar in the gold smuggling case which was registered by the Enforcement Directorate, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences) Court sent him to judicial custody till February 9. According to sources, the court will consider Sivasankar's bail application on February 1. 

READ | Kerala Gold Smuggling: CM Pinarayi Vijayan Alleges Customs Threatened State Govt Officials

Earlier on Monday, Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's ex-aide was granted bail by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate in connection with the gold smuggling case. 

READ | In Kerala Gold Smuggling Case, Court Extends Remand Of Swapna & Other Accused Till Feb 2

Gold smuggling case & Sivasankar's arrest

On July 5, 2020, Customs officials seized 30 kg of gold worth Rs.15 crore at the Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic cargo addressed to a person in the UAE Consulate. Sarith PS who worked at the UAE Consulate was arrested in this regard. Reportedly, he told the Customs about the role of Swapna Suresh, an ex-Consulate employee now working as the manager of the Kerala State Information Technology Infrastructure Limited. Following the backlash over her appointment, she was sacked by the state government. 

READ | Kerala Gold Smuggling: NIA Files Chargesheet Against 20 Accused; M Sivasankar Not Named

Vijayan announced the suspension of his former Principal Secretary M Sivasankar on July 16 pending the departmental inquiry. It was reportedly found that he had violated the All-India Services Conduct rules due to his connections with the gold smuggling accused. After the Kerala High Court rejected the suspended bureaucrat's anticipatory bail plea on October 28, he was arrested by the ED in connection with the gold smuggling case. While the agency got his remand on three occasions, Sivasankar was finally sent to judicial custody on November 12.

READ | Customs Arrests Kerala CM's Ex-aide M Sivasankar In Dollar Smuggling Case

Subsequently, the Customs department arrested him in connection with the gold smuggling case on November 24. His links with Swapna Suresh and Sarith PS, the prime accused in the gold smuggling case have been under the scanner of the investigative agencies. As per the ED, Sivasankar asked Suresh and his Chartered Accountant Venugopal to open a joint locker where the proceeds of crime are believed to have been stored. 

READ | Chennithala Cites ED Submission To Allege Kerala CMO's Complicity In Gold Smuggling Scam

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Published January 27th, 2021 at 16:44 IST

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