Two Customs officers involved in gold smuggling cases in Kerala removed from service

Two Customs officials, arrested by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Wednesday, were removed from service for allegedly smuggling gold into the country through Thiruvananthapuram international airport. According to a release, both the officers were removed from service, after due process of law under Rule 19 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.

Kochi:Two Customs officers allegedly involved in gold smuggling cases in Kerala were removed from service, a top official said here on Monday.

Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin, Sumit Kumar said he took action against Radhakrishnan B, Superintendent of Customs and Rahul, Inspector of Customs, who were allegedly involved in gold smuggling cases in the state.

Radhakrishnan was involved in attempted smuggling of gold weighing 24998.61 grams having a market value of over Rs 8 crore through Thiruvananthapuram international airport on May 13, 2019, Kumar said.

Rahul was involved in attempted smuggling of gold weighing 11,035.54 grams valued at over Rs 4 crore through the international airport on August 19, 2019, the Customs Commissioner added.

Radhakrishnan is currently lodged in Central prison, Thiruvananthapuram after the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau under the Union Finance Ministry issued detention order under Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA).

It is an Act of Parliament passed in 1974 during the administration of Indira Gandhi, trying to retain foreign currency and prevent smuggling.

Rahul, against whom detention order under COFEPOSA was issued, is absconding.

"Two Customs officers of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate, Cochin, who were involved in gold smuggling cases were removed from service by Sumit Kumar, Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin," an official release said.

Kumar said both the cases were booked and investigated by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and while show cause notice under Customs Act 1962 has been issued against Radhakrishnan, an investigation is under progress in the other case.

"Both the officers were removed from service, after due process of law under Rule 19 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965," the release said.

(PTI Report)