Thiruvananthapuram: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) interrogated former IT secretary M. Sivasankar for clarification on various matters in connection with the diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case.
The probe team inquired if he had pressurized on a personal or official level to release the parcel disguised as diplomatic baggage from the cargo complex of Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 30.
It is learnt that the conspiracy of the gold smuggling plan had taken place at Swapna’s flat near the secretariat. It was Sivasankar who helped to book this flat. Also he owns another flat in the same apartment complex. This also was a reason for interrogating him.
Earlier, the reports on Sivasankar’s close contacts with the accused in the case had come to light. The investigation team raided Swapna’s flat in Ambalamukku, a flat near secretariat and a five star hotel and examined CCTV footage from there.
Based on this, the probe team had found out that Sivasankar had met with the accused several times before. He also held meetings with Sandeep Nair in the apartment complex.
Sivasankar was interrogated for clarifying if the meetings were related to gold smuggling. The NIA decided to check the CCTV camera visuals at the Secretariat after knowing that Sandeep and others used to meet Sivasankar at his office.
As per reports, Ramees and Jalal were staying in a five star hotel near the Secretariat when the smuggled gold was seized. The NIA team was trying to know if they had met with Sivasankar. They are also investigating the phone calls between Sivasankar, Sarith and Swapna.
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