Customs detains Shashi Tharoor's aide for smuggling gold; Congress leader reacts
After Delhi Customs apprehended two people, one of whom claimed to be Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's personal assistant, in connection with alleged gold smuggling, the Congress leader distanced himself from any wrongdoing on Thursday. "The law must take its course," the Congress leader said.
PTC Web News: After Delhi Customs apprehended two people, one of whom claimed to be Congress MP Shashi Tharoor's personal assistant, in connection with alleged gold smuggling, the Congress leader distanced himself from any wrongdoing on Thursday. "The law must take its course," the Congress leader said.
Tharoor stated in a post on X that the detained person is a former member of his staff who has been working part-time for him. He also expressed his support for the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary measures.
Taking to X, the Congress MP said, "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 was retained on a part-time basis on compassionate grounds."
"I do not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully support the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary action that may be required to investigate the matter. The law must take its own course," he further said.
Earlier on Wednesday, Delhi Customs detained two people at Delhi International Airport in connection with an alleged gold smuggling case.
According to Customs sources, one of the detainees identified himself as Shiv Kumar Prasad and claimed to be Shashi Tharoor's personal assistant.
Shiv Kumar Prasad had arrived at the Delhi Airport to meet someone who had landed from Dubai. Both were arrested when the passenger attempted to hand over around 500 grammes of gold to Prasad.
"Prasad holds the aerodrome entry pass card, which grants him access to airport premises. He entered the airport and was receiving a package when he was detained alongside the passenger," according to sources.
According to Customs, both Prasad and the passenger were detained, and 500 grams of gold were recovered from their possession.