THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chartered accountant has given a statement against M Sivasankar, the former principal secretary of the chief minister, which may prove to be crucial in the gold smuggling case. In his statement, the accountant said the bank locker was opened with Swapna Suresh after Sivasankar asked. Swapna and chartered accountant opened the bank locker in a bank in Thiruvananthapuram's Statue. NIA found gold and money from this same locker.

Meanwhile, the prime accused TK Ramees' statement and digital proofs may turn to be key in the gold smuggling case. The NIA is planning to summon Sivasankar to Kochi after checking the CCTV footage of the secretariat. NIA is yet to give clean chit to Sivasankar even after grilling him for two days.