Swapna Suresh's assets will not be confiscated, notice withdrawn: Centre tells HC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The central government has withdrawn the notice to confiscate the property of Swapna Suresh, accused in the gold smuggling case. The Centre informed this while considering the petition filed by Swapna in the High Court against the confiscation of her property. Justice Bechu Kurian Thomas also directed that the Thiruvananthapuram Thycaud village officer should be informed about the withdrawal of the notice within seven days.

The Centre initiated the action by pointing out that Swapna's assets should be confiscated under the Section VI of the Act on confiscation of assets of p[eople convicted in smuggling and foreign currency cases. However, Swapna had approached the High Court stating that the central authority had no power to confiscate the property as the proceedings against him under COFEPOSA Act had been quashed. While considering this petition, the Centre informed that the notice to confiscate Swapna's property has been withdrawn.