Thiruvananthapuram : Sandeep Nair, the prime accused in diplomatic gold smuggling case, testified to Crime Branch that Enforcement Directorate(ED)coerced him to name Chief Minister in the case. Other persons ED compelled to list included the Speaker, Minister KT Jaleel and Bineesh Kodiyeri, Sandeep said in his testimony.
Crime Branch registered its case following Sandeep’s complaint to the court that he was pressured by ED. Then, with due permission from court, the Crime Branch officials arrived at Poojapura Central Jail to take down Sandeep’s testimony. The testifying session was headed by Crime Branch DySP Baiju Paulose and lasted five long hours with the entire interview videoed on tape.
