Kerala gold smuggling case: CM Pinarayi Vijayan says KT Jaleel did nothing wrong

There's no ground to say he did anything wrong. He is also the Minister of Minority Affairs and Waqf. He did what was needed to be done, the CM said.

Key Highlights

• Some people and organisations are trying to create a law and order situation in the state, the CM said.

• In Kollam, a car purposefully stopped KT Jaleel's vehicle last night, he added.

Thiruvananthapuram: In the Kerala gold smuggling case, state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has backed his minister KT Jaleel, saying he did nothing wrong. 

"The Enforcement Directorate interrogated KT Jaleel about the consignment to UAE consulate containing Quran. There's no ground to say he did anything wrong. He is also the Minister of Minority Affairs and Waqf. He did what was needed to be done," he said, news agency ANI reported.

"Some people and organisations are trying to create a law and order situation in the state. In Kollam, a car purposefully stopped KT Jaleel's vehicle last night," he added. The CM further informed that two Yuva Morcha members were arrested. He condemned the incident and said that such protests cannot be accepted.

ED summons Life Mission CEO UV Jose

The ED has instructed Life Mission CEO UV Jose to appear at its office as part of the proceedings in the case. A notice was sent to him over the same.

UV Jose had signed the contract between Life Mission and UAE-based Red Crescent for the housing project in Vadakkancherry at Thrissur district. Earlier, the ED officials had earlier asked him to submit the contract documents and all government files in this regard.

BJP alleges CM's daughter's involvement

Meanwhile, the BJP has alleged the involvement of Kerala CM's daughter in the scam. State BJP president K Surendran said, "The probe in the Life Mission commission scam will soon reach the daughter of Vijayan - Veena. This is the information that's now surfacing according to what I have come to know." He further demanded Vijayan to quit immediately and face a probe.

The case revolves around the smuggling of gold in Kerala through diplomatic channels It had come to light after 30 kg gold worth Rs 14.82 crores, smuggled in a consignment camouflaged as diplomatic baggage, was busted by the Customs in Thiruvananthapuram on July 5.