‘Raid in actors houses to divert attention from Sabarimala gold plating row’ 

PALAKKAD: Union Minister Suresh Gopi said the raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at the houses of actors in the Bhutan vehicle smuggling case is to divert attention from the gold plating row in Sabarimala. His strange claim was while attending a public programme.

'Is it to divert attention from the gold plating row in Sabarimala, raids were conducted at the houses of actors? Since the NIA and ED are examining and investigating everything in this regard, as a union minister should not respond. When an incident comes affecting the government, there is a trend of polluting and tarnishing the shining personalities using the police,' said Suresh Gopi.

The ED had simultaneously conducted lighting raids on the houses of actors Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan, Prithviraj and Amit Chakkalakal in the Bhutan vehicle smuggling case. The customs had also searched the houses earlier. Suresh Gopi said the state government is behind this. He also said that the investigation is progressing well.

After the raid, Dulquer was summoned from Chennai and questioned for hours in Kochi and his statement was recorded. The actors were also directed to produce documents of the purchasing the vehicles. Customs noticed the irregularities in the Bhutan vehicle transaction. The financial transactions are suspected to have held abroad. The ED is likely to register Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) soon.