File photo of the accused Kerala gold smuggling of Swapna Suresh.
The order came while a petition filed by Suresh to initiate contempt proceedings against the officers who leaked the statement and the media that published it was being considered.
- CNN-News18 Thiruvananthapuram
- Last update: December 1, 2020 4:31 PM IST
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Neethu Reghukumar
Ernakulam, the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrates (economic crimes), ordered Customs on Tuesday to submit a report on the progress of the investigation into the gold smuggling case every three months.
The court also ordered the Customs Commissioner to initiate strict disciplinary measures against the agents who leaked Swapna Suresh’s statement to the press. The court order read: “Chief Commissioner of Customs (Preventive), Cochin is instructed to initiate measures to take strict disciplinary action against the erroneous and unethical officer / officers who caused the leak of the petitioner’s statement or / any party that came forward. before this Court, without undue delay, and a detailed report file in a sealed cover “.
The order was given while considering a petition filed by Suresh to initiate contempt of court proceedings against the officers who leaked the statement and the media that published it. However, the court dismissed the petition but ordered the Kochi Chief Customs (Preventive) Commissioner to take strict disciplinary action against the officer who made the mistake.
Swapna Suresh is a key defendant in the gold smuggling case. Customs had stopped about 30 kg of gold that was brought via diplomatic baggage to Kerala from the United Arab Emirates. The NIA and ED are investigating the case. Both the Customs and Law Enforcement Directorates also detained M. Sivasankar, former Kerala Chief Secretary CM Pinarayi Vijayan, in connection with the case.
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