Customs might query Kerala Speaker in foreign exchange smuggling case

CUSTOMS DEPARTMENT would query Kerala Assembly Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan and some different high functionaries of the state authorities in reference to a case pertaining to smuggling overseas change overseas, sources instructed The Indian Express on Friday. This got here a day after the Speaker denied any wrongdoing and defended his conduct in public life.
While probing right into a case associated to smuggling of gold by means of diplomatic cargo channel to the UAE Consulate, the central company discovered that two of the accused – Swapna Suresh and P S Sarith – allegedly indulged in smuggling US {dollars} overseas, the sources stated. The Speaker could be questioned on the premise of statements the 2 accused gave to the Justice of the Peace courtroom beneath Section 164 of CrPC.
“Their statements contain the names of several senior government functionaries, including the Speaker and a few ministers. They have mentioned illegal activities in their statements. But we are looking into only those issues that come under the purview of the Customs Act,” a supply within the company stated.
Customs officers stated they haven’t determined after they would situation a discover to Sreeramakrishnan to report his assertion. “There are no legal hurdles for questioning the Speaker. We want to hear what the Speaker has to say about the deposition of the accused persons,” an official stated.
On Friday, the Customs questioned the Speaker’s assistant personal secretary Okay Ayyappan at its Kochi workplace for almost 9 hours in reference to the case. “Ayyappan had been in touch with both Swapna and Sarith. He had made calls to both on certain days,” a supply alleged. But officers stated questioning of the Speaker’s private employees was not very fruitful as “Ayyappan appeared tutored by someoneelse”.

“He turned up for questioning after leaving his mobile phone in Thiruvananthapuram,” an official stated.
The Opposition has given a discover for a decision looking for elimination of the Speaker over the case. But denying any wrongdoing, Sreeramakrishnan on Thursday instructed reporters, “I have been a public figure for the past 40 years. Throughout these years, I haven’t faced allegations of even a single rupee. I am sure that I haven’t committed any mistake. So, I am least afraid about the controversies. I don’t think that I would be summoned by the Customs.”