“Law Must Take Its Own Course”: Shashi Tharoor On His PA’s Arrest For 'Smuggling Gold' At Delhi Airport
On Wednesday, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s personal assistant was arrested after he was allegedly caught smuggling gold at the Delhi airport. Reacting to the arrest on an X (formerly known as Twitter) post, the Thiruvananthapuram candidate extended his full support to the authorities to take the necessary action.
Expressing his shock at the arrest of his PA, Shiv Kumar, Tharoor claimed that the “former member” had been working part-time with him to provide airport facilitation assistance. Shiv Kumar, a 72-year-old retiree, had been undergoing “frequent dialysis” and was retained on “compassionate grounds,” stated Tharoor.
He also clarified that at the time of the arrest of Kumar, the Lok Sabha candidate was at Dharamshala for campaigning.
“I do not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully support the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary action as may be required to investigate the matter. The law must take its own course,” said Tharoor.
While I am in Dharamshala for campaigning purposes, I was shocked to hear of an incident involving a former member of my staff who has been rendering part-time service to me in terms of airport facilitation assistance. He is a 72 year old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis and…
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 30, 2024
Allegedly caught “smuggling gold’ from Dubai, Shiv Kumar was detained by customs officials at Terminal 3 of the Indira Gandhi International airport. He was arrested while taking the gold brought from Dubai by one of his associates. Gold worth around Rs 30 lakh has been seized by customs, and an investigation has been launched.
According to reports, the customs officials had questioned the source of the gold and why he brought it to India. Kumar was arrested after failing to provide a satisfactory response and a lack of necessary documents.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar took to X and said, “First CM Secy involved in Gold smuggling, now Cong MP “aide”/PA detained for Gold smuggling. CMP and Cong – both INDI alliance partners – alliance of gold smugglers.”
First CM Secy involved in Gold smuggling
Now Cong MP “aide”/PA detained for Gold smuggling
CPM and Cong – both INDI alliance partners – alliance of gold smugglers 😅🤬😡🤮 https://t.co/TiCLWMZV0Z
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳(Modiyude Kutumbam) (@Rajeev_GoI) May 30, 2024
