Kerala gold smuggling case: Swapna Suresh sent to 4-day NIA custody

Swapna Suresh, accused in Kerala Gold Smuggling case, has been sent to 4-day NIA custody for interrogation. NIA had sought her custody based on digital evidence.

Thiruvananthapuram: Special NIA court in Kochi has sent Swapna Suresh, accused in the Kerala gold Smuggling case to 4-day NIA custody for interrogation. Based on digital evidence, NIA had requested the court for the custody of 5 accused in the case. Other four accused were already sent to NIA custody for three days.

Swapna Suresh was admitted to Thrissur Medical College for the second time after she had complained of chest pain, Viyyur Jail Authority said on Sunday.

She was discharged from Thrissur Medical College on Saturday after six days of treatment for chest pain. Prior to this, Swapna Suresh was interrogated by NIA for thirteen days. As Swapna was proven physically fit, the request was approved today.

Read:Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA court in Kochi extends judicial custody of 12 accused till Oct 8

Meantime, an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (Economic Offences) court granted default bail to the accused Sandeep Nair in the gold smuggling case being probed by the Customs department.

The bail was granted as the Customs did not file a charge sheet within the stipulated period of 60 days. However, Nair will continue to remain in prison as he is also accused in the case, which has invoked the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in the matter.

According to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), an accused is entitled to default bail if a charge sheet is not filed within 60-90 days as per the offence, however, for UAPA cases, agencies have 180 days to file a charge sheet.

The Kerala gold smuggling case, which is being probed by the NIA, Enforcement Directorate, and the Customs, pertains to the smuggling of gold in the state through diplomatic channels. The matter had come 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.

With inputs from ANI