Production Warrant Issued Against Kerala Gold Smuggling Case Key Accused, Swapna Suresh

A production warrant has been issued in the name of Swapna Suresh, a key accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case by a special court which considers cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The warrant directs the jail authorities to produce Suresh before the court on September 22.

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Swapna Suresh is one of the key accused in the diplomatic gold smuggling case. Last month, she had claimed that she was personally acquainted with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in her official capacity as the representative of UAE Consular General.  Earlier, Suresh had complained of chest pains due to which she couldn’t be produced before the court on Tuesday. But reportedly as her health has improved now, and the jail authorities submitted a report before the court regarding the same.

NIA had sought the custody of Suresh so that it could confront her regarding the digital data retrieved from devices seized as part of the probe, the Times of India reported. NIA further claimed that the money that was being collected through the smuggling of gold was believed to have been used for certain anti-national and terrorist activities.

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Suresh's name came up in a gold scam when the customs department seized 30 kg of gold from diplomatic baggage at Thiruvananthapuram airport on 5 July 2020. After probing into the case, it was found that she has links with many high officials who were involved in the gold smuggling.

According to The News Minute, Suresh was admitted to the Thrissur Medical College Hospital on 7 September following complaints of stomach ache. It was alleged that she managed to use phone of some nurses at the hospital, while some police personnel also took selfies with her. However, the hospital nurses denied such allegations. The Nursing Superintendent of the hospital said, "There were three policewomen inside the ward and two officers outside the ward. Without their permission nobody can enter. Also, we gave the keys to all the rooms to the police on the first day itself. Even medicines were given in the presence of the police."

Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.

Image credits: Times of India