India News Desk, Reported by Mukesh Singh Sengar, Edited by Abhimanyu Kulkarni, Updated: May 30, 2024, 10:54 am IST
New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor expressed his shock upon learning that a former staff member, Shiv Prasad, was detained at Delhi's IGI Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth ₹35 lakh. Mr. Tharoor has affirmed his support for the authorities in their investigation and emphasized that he does not condone any alleged wrongdoing.
Statement from Shashi Tharoor
Mr. Tharoor, currently in Dharamshala for campaigning, addressed the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter):
"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 as may be required to investigate the matter. The law must take its own course."
Incident Details
Sources report that Shiv Prasad was detained on Wednesday by Customs officials at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport. A search revealed gold weighing over 500 grams. During questioning, Prasad failed to provide satisfactory explanations for carrying the precious metal.
Political Reactions
Mr. Tharoor, a former Union Minister and the current MP from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, is contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha polls against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Following the incident, Mr. Chandrasekhar criticized Mr. Tharoor and the Congress party, alleging an alliance with 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," Mr. Chandrasekhar said on X.
Background and Implications
The incident adds to a series of controversies surrounding alleged gold smuggling involving political figures. It raises questions about the oversight and vetting processes for aides and part-time staff employed by public figures. As the investigation proceeds, it will be critical to see how this impacts Mr. Tharoor's campaign and the broader political landscape