THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Customs has issued a notice to Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan asking him to appear for questioning in connection with the dollar smuggling case. Sreeramakrishnan has been asked to appear in person for questioning on March 12.

The Customs had told the High Court yesterday that the main accused in the case, Swapna Suresh, had given a statement that the dollars were smuggled abroad with the help of the UAE Consulate at the instigation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan. A copy of the statement may be submitted in a sealed envelope during the final argument or at the stage requested by the court. Customs said the statement could be important in the aftermath of the case or in future proceedings. The affidavit was filed by the Customs Commissioner on the basis of the confession of Swapna Suresh, the accused in the gold smuggling case. Following this, a notice was sent to the Speaker asking him to appear in person at the Customs office in Kochi.