Gold Smuggling Case: Swapna Suresh Alleges Death Threat, Says 'Asked To Hand Over Evidence Against Kerala CM'

Swapna Suresh, one of the key accused in the high-profile gold smuggling case of Kerala, has alleged that there have been attempts to settle the case. In major allegations against the ruling CPI(M), Suresh said she received a call from a person named Vijay Pilai, who issued death threats in the name of party's state secretary MV Govindan.

Suresh said she was asked to hand over evidence against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the gold smuggling case and leave Bengaluru with her family.

"I got an anonymous call three days ago from a person named Vijay Pillai. He told me that he wanted to take an interview and when I visited him, he asked me to leave Bengaluru along with my family," said Suresh.

Suresh, who is also a prime accused in Life Mission cases in Kerala, further claimed that she was offered a large sum of money to hand over the evidence. In a Facebook Live session, she claimed that she has been offered Rs 30 crore by Pillai, who is a Kannur resident. Pillai allegedly said he was working on the instruction of the CPI(M).

"Vijay Pillai offered to buy a flat in Haryana or Jaipur, instead, he asked me to hand over all the evidence I have against Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and family. CPI(M) party secy Govindan threatened to kill me if I disagree," she said.

Swapna Suresh then said that Pillai told that CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan is very angry and said if she doesn't agree to this settlement, then there will be no more such talks.

"Govindan has said that I should come and tell the people that I was lying all the time. Then I was offered Rs 30 crore and a duplicate passport so I can have a new life in Singapore," she alleged.

"I was also told that (UAE-settled billionaire businessman) MA Yusuf Ali and (another middle east-based businessman) Ravi Pillai have also been served a notice to appear before the Enforcement Directorate," she said.

She went on to allege that Pillai informed her that since Yusuf Ali is a hugely influential person and has shares in a few airports in Kerala, she might be trapped by placing contraband in her luggage.

"They either want me to leave and if not, put me in jail for three years by placing contraband in my luggage. I have made up my mind that from now on my only aim in life is to bring out the truth about (Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi) Vijayan and his entire family who have huge business interests and how they are using these businessmen - Yusuf Ali and Ravi Pillai - as their 'benamis' (proxies)," she claimed.

"Death is sure for me, but Swapna Suresh has only one father and will fight till the last. With the present ED probe, truth has started to come out slowly and I will not withdraw from what I am doing now till I see the truth comes out. Govindan wants to kill me. So even if I am not there, my lawyer and my family will take the fight forward," she alleged.

(With IANS inputs)