Gold smuggling: Kerala CM again in hot soup

T Satisan, Kochi

Kerala CM was almost relieved these days, thanks to the slow pedaling of CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Solargate agitation. But, 20 kgs gold haul at Kochi International Airport has put him again in hot soup. Because, the king pin Fayaz Abdul Khader’s alleged statement to the police is not at all music to CM’s ears. Fayaz is reported to have told the police that he is well connected with some bigwigs in CM’s office. His Facebook displays photographs of Jikkumon, CM’s personal staff sacked in  connection with the infamous and much talked about Solargate. Jikkumon is even addressed as ‘brother’ by Fayaz! When Fayaz was arrested at Delhi International Airport, while he was allegedly trying to flee the country, he threatened the police that he has got connections with Kerala CM’s office and they would lose their jobs if they touch him! Further interrogation is reported to have revealed that Fayaz is very much involved in human trafficking (especially women). The women going to Gulf countries are trapped in sex racket and some of them are used as carriers in gold smuggling.   The 20 kgs gold, worth Rs 58 million, seized at Kochi airport is part of the hawala transation! One of the largest seizure of gold in the country’s history of gold smuggling! The gold was seized from two carrier women flying from Gulf. It is an open truth that hawala is always linked with anti-national terrorist activities. Two customs officers are suspended in this connection and CBI is raiding their residences. CBI enquiry is on into their alleged involvements in the case. One Custom Deputy Commissioner and two inspectors are the accused in the case registered by CBI. A Superintendent of Kerala Police is in the eye of a storm too. Because his picture riding the luxurious  motor bike of Fayaz is displayed in latter’s Facebook. Kerala Police Intelligence is enquiring into the SP’s link with Fayaz. It is reported that  Fayaz is a Man Friday of film personalities as well. He recently made an appearance on the Onam release of a movie of one of the popular heroes of Malayalam. His luxury car also is used for visuals. Another allegation against Fayaz is his links with the suicide of an actress after she supposedly received a telephone call from her boyfriend in Gulf. This man was arrested at Bombay airport after more than an year when he was coming back home due to getting involved in a case in Dubai. Residences of Fayaz’s friend and wife were also raided by Customs in this regard.

A serious allegation surfaced in this regard is Fayaz’s involvement in CM’s Dubai visits. That is Fayaz has been fixing CM’s tour programmes in Dubai since Oommen Chandy’s Leader of the Opposition days. One Non-Resident Kerala (NRK) organisation’s office bearer has reportedly told the media that Fayaz brought Ommen Chandy to their Dubai programme as the guest when he was the opposition leader. Now media reports suggest that Fayaz is well connected with lot of powerful Congress personalities. Therefore, BJP has demanded an NIA enquiry into the whole case. CPM is once again stepping up its agitation for the resignation of the CM.