Thiruvananthapuram: Minister K T Jaleel, who was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, in connection with the gold smuggling case, has come out. He told ED that he was unaware that holy texts arrived in diplomatic baggage without the permission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and that he was ready to return if it is found to be illegal.
When asked about the gold smuggling, Jaleel’s reply was that he does not even have sovereign gold and vehicle of his own. He said that only official phone calls were made with accused Swapna Suresh.
According to Jaleel’s statement, he owns only 19 cents of land, has financial liabilities and has an investment of Rs 3 lakh in the treasury. However, the probe team has not taken this statement to be true. ED believes that Jaleel has carried out benami transactions and many of his statements were false and contradictory.
Indications are that Customs is also preparing to question Minister K T Jaleel.
