Gold smuggling case: Sivasankar travelled to UAE 7 times with Swapna Suresh

The Customs department has said that M Sivasankar travelled to UAE seven times along with Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh and that they stayed in five-star hotels with Sivasankar personally bearing the expenses.

Kochi (Kerala): Former principal secretary of the Kerala Chief Minister's Office, M Sivasankar travelled to UAE seven times along with Kerala gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh, Customs department on Tuesday said in a submission to the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court (Economic Offences).

'All the seven times, they stayed in five-star hotels in UAE and Sivasankar had personally borne the accommodation expenses. These trips were made with hidden intentions and the same are being probed by the agency. A senior IAS officer making that many trips to the same country is highly unusual," said Customs.

It added that gold smuggling activities carried out by the accused with Sivasankar's help have affected the friendly relationship between India and UAE, a country that gives employment to a large number of Indians.

ANI