THRISSUR: Congress MLA Anil Akkara on Monday claimed that minister AC Moideen visited Swapna Suresh, at the Thrissur Medical College Hospital where she was undergoing treatment for chest pain. According to Anil Akkara, the minister visited the accused in the gold smuggling case in order to influence her statement. Alleging conspiracy behind the incident, the Congress MLA also added Thrissur district Collector and medical college principal were involved in it.

"I had attended a programme at the medical college along with UDF convenor Benny Behanan and Alathur MP Ramya Haridas on September 8 and we returned by evening. However, we later learnt that minister AC Moideen would be visiting the medical college on September 9 for an inauguration programme. It must be noted that Swapna Suresh was admitted in the hospital on September 8. All of a sudden a big project is organised and the minister attends the inaugural function without informing the local MLA, MP or even ward members. The minister must explain this, " he said.

"The collector, medical college principal and AC Moideen discussed the matters with Swapna Suresh and arranged for the meeting. Ramees, another accused in the gold smuggling case, was also admitted to the hospital without any health issues. The NIA should check this. They must monitor minister Moideen and check his phone records," Anil Akkara added. The MLA also demanded to install CCTV cameras in the wards where Swapna and Ramees are admitted.