INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Responding to the Opposition, Kerala law minister AK Balan said Jaleel had not been arraigned as an accused, and that
NIA's interrogation was to 'seek information' as per protocol
File Images of Kerala Chief
Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
in Kerala on Thursday grilled state higher education minister KT Jaleel who is facing allegations of accepting consignments of the Holy
Quran brought from UAE through diplomatic channel, violating FCRA norms.Jaleel reached the NIA office at around 6 am in a private car after
being summoned by the agency, nearly a week after he was interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the acceptance of
the consignments.Multiple rings of police security were thrown around the NIA office as the news broke about the minister's appearance
before the NIA team probing the gold smuggling case.Protests erupted across the state by Opposition parties including the Congress and the
BJP seeking resignation of the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government, while Jaleel was being interrogated at the NIA office.Several activists of
the Congress, the BJP, and the Muslim League were injured in police action against participants of protest marches organised separately by
these parties in various district headquarters, seeking the resignation of the chief minister.MLA VT Balaram, who was injured in police
lathicharge against the Congress workers in Palakkad, alleged that the police action was without any provocation and demanded an enquiry."At
least 12 officials were injured when protesters clashed with the police at Palakkad
Shoulders of three officials were dislocated while one official was injured with a sharp object on his cheek
He got 12 stitches," a police official told PTI.The NIA office premises also witnessed separate protests by activists belonging to youth
wings of the Congress and the BJP.As the Opposition sharpened its attack against the ruling LDF, the leadership of the CPM rallied behind
the embattled minister, saying "seeking information" was part of the procedure of investigation and there was no need for anyone to
resign.Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, Ramesh Chennithala said the government should resign and face elections.In response,
state law minister and senior CPM leader AK Balan said "seeking information" was part of the procedure of investigation."The NIA normally
questions someone for a scheduled crime
At least now, the Chief Minister should seek the resignation of Jaleel
It seems like the Chief Minister is refusing to seek the resignation because he fears the probe will reach his office
The government should resign under these circumstances and face an election," Chennithala said at a press conference at Haripad, his home
constituency in Alappuzha district.Balan hit back at the Opposition leader and told the media in Palakkad that the demand for resignation
would have had some sense if Jaleel had been arraigned as an accused in any case."It's just part of the procedure that the investigating
agency seeks information on the matters
There is no need for anyone to resign just because some allegations were raised
If he (Jaleel) is arraigned as an accused, then there is a sense in demanding the resignation but now there is no need for it," Balan
said.Meanwhile, BJP state chief K Surendran said the allegations faced by Jaleel were serious and sought his resignation and asked the
government to step down."The chief minister should understand that it's not right for someone who can be influential to remain in power
while the investigation is on
The allegations he (Jaleel) is facing are quite serious
All his phone calls details show he had regular contact with the gold smuggling accused," Surendran said at a press conference.Last week,
Jaleel had appeared before the ED here and his statement was recorded.The minister had earlier admitted that a consignment containing Holy
Quran had been received from the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram which a top Customs official had referred to as "prima facie violation
of FCRA" (Foreign Contribution Regulation Act).After the media reported about his interrogation by the ED, the minister had later posted on
Facebook: "Truth will prevail
Even if the whole world opposes it, nothing else will happen."Officials had said Jaleel is under the scanner of the central agencies after
he publicly claimed that the consignments brought to Thiruvananthapuram during Ramzan month contained Holy Quran for distribution in his
constituency.Earlier, the call records of Swapna Suresh, a prime accused in the gold smuggling case, had revealed that Jaleel was in touch
with her.Suresh's call records had revealed that she and the minister had spoken over the phone nine times between 1 and 26 June.The
minister had said that these calls were strictly professional as Suresh was working with the consulate of the UAE in Thiruvananthapuram.He
had said calls were made after the Consulate General assigned Suresh to coordinate the distribution of food kits.Jaleel had also released
screenshots of his conversation with the Consulate General on the matter.Find latest and upcoming tech gadgets online on
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