Kochi: The NIA has strongly opposed the anticipatory bail of Swapna Suresh in the Thiruvananthapuram gold smuggling case. The NIA informed the court that an FIR has been registered in the case. With this, the High Court adjourned the case till Tuesday.
The NIA informed the court that along with Swapna Suresh, Sarith and Sandeep Nair are also involved in the smuggling. As this is a matter of security threat to the nation, NIA said that Swapna Suresh has to be taken into custody for interrogation.
Centre’s counsel Ravi Prakash tells court,”Since NIA has taken over probe, HC cannot entertain bail plea & matter has to be dealt with by special court.”
The FIR has been registered under sections 16, 17 and 18 of the NIA Act today morning. The NIA also clarified that the clean chit could not be given as Swapna was also the accused in other cases.
The probe team also told the court that Sooraj’s wife Soumya had given a statement that Swapna, Sarith and Sandeep were involved in gold smuggling.
The central government has submitted a file in the court in this regard.
