KOCHI : Kochi Customs Commissioner’s order for mass transfers, including two key officials from the team probing diplomatic gold smuggling case, runs into controversy. While the transfers are being quoted as part of regular exercise, there is rising criticism over its timing, especially given that there was no prior-consultation with the probe team, despite its members being engaged in a high-profile smuggling case that has captured national attention.
The transfer order released on Wednesday seeks to shuffle out the Preventive Inspector, Superintendent and 78 others from the Examiner rungs. Following anxiety conveyed by the probe team on gold smuggling case, the Commissioner changed the order to that of temporary nature.
The team investigating the gold smuggling case has Customs Preventive Commissioner Sumeeth Kumar and four others in lead position. There is acute shortage of experienced personnel in the 40-member investigation team that’s currently probing the smuggling case. Thus, removal of a veteran with vast experience, has given rise to anxiety among probe members. The officer in question has investigated gold smuggling cases in the past.
Several from the probe team are appointees on deputation from various Customs departments. The argument for current transfers is that, they involve officers from the Commissioner’s cadre. The high-ranking officials however responded to the move saying, the team should have been spoken to before deciding to take personnel off an investigation of crucial nature. The Preventive Commissioner Sumeeth Kumar had been entrusted with the investigations into diplomatic gold smuggling. Post the transfer order, he however declined to comment on development..
The Centre had earlier initiated probe against Customs Joint Commissioner following media claims that Chief Minister’s office(CMO) might be involved in the gold smuggling case. There were no findings to that effect and furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner later disappointed the higher echelons, when he clarified that he received no call whatsoever from CM’s office up on intercepting the gold baggage. Now, the current transfers raise doubts on whether it is some kind of similar maneuver to derail ongoing investigations into a case that holds implications politically and to the national security.
