Gold Sumuggling through Diplomatic Channel an act of terrorism.
Last Updated on July 17, 2021 by Administrator
By- Arshita
On 16th July, the National Investigation Agency(NIA) submitted to the Kerala High Court that Swapna Suresh and others had committed an act of terrorism by smuggling 167 kg of gold into India from UAE. Moreover, as they were aware that by doing so, they could pose a threat to the security and economic stability of the country.
A Division Bench of Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Ziyad Rahman A.A. adjourned the matter to 29th of July. Petitioner Swapna Suresh had earlier moved the court seeking bail in the gold smuggling case.
Advocate Sooraj T. Elenjickal submitted that the petitioner has been in custody for more than a year now.The NIA is opposing the idea. It said that the petitioner was aware of the fact that her actions would damage India’s International relations with UAE.
They conspired together, recruited people, formed a terrorist group, raised funds, and smuggled around 167 kg of gold from UAE between November 2019 to June 2020 through import cargo addressed to the diplomats at the Consulate General of UAE at Thiruvananthapuram.
“NIA has come to this conclusion that the action of the prime accused Sarith, co-accused Swapna Suresh and other accused was with the knowledge that their act of smuggling gold into India in large quantities would breach the security and economic stability of the country, destabilize the Indian economy and damage the friendly relations with UAE, conjointly committed a terrorist act.”
As of now, the Supreme Court is checking whether gold smuggling simplictor amounts to ‘terrorist act’ as per the definitions given by UAPA.
