THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CBI will probe the case in which attempt was made to smuggle more than 30 kg gold in diplomatic baggage in the name of UAE consulate.
The CBI will suo-motu take up the case as a foreign country is involved and the smugglers had committed the crime in the name of UAE, with which India has a good diplomatic relationship.
The Customs has reported that there had been an influence from high level to release the baggage. Certain officials in Customs and Air Cargo are also under a cloud of suspicion.
The case is likely to be probed by CBI Kochi unit or a team under Chennai South Joint director.
According to the rule, Diplomatic baggage should not be handed over unless Consulate official arrives and get Form-7 filled.
But the CBI will find out how the official who was expelled from the Consulate was able to receive baggage several times. The CBI will be able to probe the role of persons inside Consulate with the permission of UAE government.
The relationship of chief minister’s secretary and IT department secretary M Sivashankar with two persons ousted by the Consulate will also be probed.
The CBI suo-motu probe corruption and smuggling cases in which Central govt employees are involved.
The Customs has already reported to the Centre that they were prevented from examining the baggage and some high officials had threatened them.
If CBI comes: