Delhi Customs officials on Wednesday detained two individuals at Indira Gandhi International Airport for allegedly smuggling 500 grams of gold. Among those detained was Shiv Kumar Prasad, who claimed to be the personal assistant of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar responded to the incident by alleging a connection between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress in gold smuggling activities. “First CM Secy involved in Gold smuggling. Now Cong MP ‘aide’/PA detained for Gold smuggling. CPM and Cong – both INDI alliance partners – alliance of gold smuggler,” Chandrasekhar wrote on X.
Delhi Customs detailed that the case involved an Indian national arriving from Bangkok on flight TG-323. Further investigations led to the arrest of Prasad, who was at the airport to receive a passenger from Dubai. The passenger attempted to hand over approximately 500 grams of gold to Prasad when they were both apprehended.
Authorities highlighted that Prasad had an aerodrome entry permit card, granting him access to the airport premises. “Prasad entered the airport premises and received a packet when he was held along with the passenger,” officials stated.
The gold, valued at Rs. 35.22 lakhs, was seized under section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. The acquisition of the permit and Prasad’s role in airport protocol for a member of parliament are under scrutiny.
Reacting to the incident, Shashi Tharoor expressed his shock, stating, “I am shocked to hear of an incident involving a former member of my staff who has been rendering part-time service to me in terms of airport facilitation assistance.” Tharoor clarified that Prasad, a 72-year-old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis, was retained on a part-time basis out of compassion. “I do not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully support the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary action. The law must take its own course,” Tharoor posted on X.
Customs officials confirmed that both Prasad and the passenger were detained and that the 500 grams of gold were seized from their possession. The case is currently under investigation.
This incident recalls the 2020 gold smuggling scandal in Kerala, where Customs seized 30 kilograms of gold at Thiruvananthapuram Airport from a diplomatic bag. The investigation, taken over by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), led to the suspension of M Sivasankar, principal secretary to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, amidst allegations of his involvement.
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