THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Assembly Speaker and senior CPI-M leader P. Sreeramakrishnan was questioned by the Customs department at his official residence on Friday in the dollar smuggling case.

This was followed by a search in his relative's flat in Chacka yesterday. The search was conducted in the B4 flat based on the statement of Swapna Suresh. As per the testimony given by Swapna Suresh, the dollars to be transferred were handed over in this flat.

Sreeramakrishnan was served a notice to appear before the Customs at its Kochi office on April 8 (Thursday), but he did not go there citing health reasons.

Following this, top Customs officials on Friday reached his official residence here, and questioned him for around five hours. He was interrogated by a team lead by customs superintendent Saleel.

During the interrogation, the speaker replied that all the allegations were baseless. He informed the customs that he had not handed over a bag containing the money to Sandeep. He also stated that he knew Swapna Suresh as a consulate officer and had friendship with her. However, no financial transaction had taken place. The speaker also informed that the bag with the seal of the assembly had been given as a gift to many.

The speaker was taking rest due to fever. Though sources claimed that the speaker will be questioned again, the Customs will have to wait for a few days as the speaker tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday evening.

Sreeramakrishnan was earlier asked to appear before the Customs on March 12. He did not turn up then as well.

The Speaker's name in the matter cropped up last December following the statement of gold smuggling case prime accused in a court that 'big sharks' had a role in helping accused like Swapna Suresh.

Since then, he was in a tight corner, and had to face the wrath of Opposition, which moved a motion in the house in January demanding his removal but was rejected.

Incidentally, a statement of Swapna Suresh recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act, and her statement before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC, filed by the Customs in the Kerala High Court, revealed her close connection with the Chief Minister, his Principal Secretary and a personal staffer.

Her statement further alleged the smuggling of foreign currency at the instance of the Chief Minister and the Speaker with the help of the UAE Consulate in the capital city, and the "improper and illegal activities" of three state Ministers and the Speaker. She had also alleged kickbacks were received by high-profile persons from various deals.

Speaker tests positive for COVID

Meanwhile, the office of the speaker requested all those who had come in contact with him in recent days to quarantine themselves. The speaker is currently under observation at his official residence in Thiruvananthapuram.

Customs sought explanations from Speaker

The Speaker's office has maintained that he was not questioned and only some explanations were sought and his statement was recorded. "They sought explanation on certain matters with regard to the dollar scam and spent less than two hours and were satisfied," the Speaker's office said.