Kerala gold smuggling case: NIA questions UAE consul general’s gunman in hospital

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) sleuths questioned S R Jayaghosh, the gunman of UAE consul general, in connection with the gold smuggling case. Jayaghosh, who is under treatment after an unsuccessful suicide bid, was quizzed by the NIA officials on Sunday. The questioning was to find out his role in the gold smuggling through diplomatic channels.
It is learnt that Jayaghosh has accepted that he had accompanied former PRO of the UAE consulate Sarith Kumar to the airport to collect the baggage addressed to the consulate.
However, he said he was not aware that gold was being smuggled in that baggage. He said it came to his notice only after the news broke out through the media.
The NIA sleuths also questioned his close association with Swapna Suresh and Sarith. The NIA had earlier collected the call details of Jayaghosh who had made calls to both these people.
Jayaghosh was earlier working with the immigration desk of Trivandrum International Airport. Hence the NIA sleuths are probing whether he had helped the gold smuggling racket while he was on airport duty.
Police have provided security for Jayaghosh in the hospital and it is learnt that NIA will be taking him for more questioning once he is discharged. He is recovering from a minor surgery.
Meanwhile, the customs conducted a raid at the flat where charge d’Affairs (attaché) at the UAE consulate, Rashid Khamis Al Sheimeili, was staying. It is learnt that he has been recalled by the UAE government.