Lok Sabha Debates
Regarding Demand For Cbi Investigation Into Gold Smuggling And Sedition Case In ... on 21 September, 2020
Seventeenth Loksabha an> Title: Regarding demand for CBI investigation into Gold Smuggling and Sedition case in Kerala.
SHRI BENNY BEHANAN (CHALAKUDY): Sir, I stand before this august House with my head down today because the Office of the Chief Minister of my State and top ministers are being investigated by all the major agencies, including NIA, ED, Customs, Narcotics Control Bureau for their alleged involvement in sedition and gold smuggling case.
A few days before, a State Minister, KT Jaleel was interrogated by the National Investigating Agency for his alleged role in gold smuggling and exploiting diplomatic immunity. It is for the first time in the history of the country that gold cartels smuggled, apparently for 23 times, approximately 200 kg of gold worth Rs. 100 crore into the country through diplomatic channels. I am shocked how the accused were able to smuggle gold these many times beneath the nose of Customs, Central Intelligence Bureau and Office of RAW, all located in Trivandrum.
The Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Mr. Sivasankar, IAS has been shunted out of office for his role in the case. His purported proximity with the prime accused was probed in the smuggling case. The accused in gold smuggling have shockingly intruded into the State machinery. The incident points towards large scale corruption apart from treason and sedition. The corruption allegations can only be investigated by the CBI. Hence, I demand special CBI investigation in this matter.