Kerala gold smuggling case: Missing gunman of UAE attache found injured

In a dramatic turn to the Kerala gold smuggling case, Jai Ghosh, the gunman of UAE consulate’s acting in-charge Rashin Khamis Al Sheimeili, and a key link in the case, was found in an injured condition in a forest near Kuzhuvila area on Friday (July 17), a day after he went missing.

He was found by police and local people during a joint search. Police said his wrist was slashed and he was bleeding profusely. He was in a weak and semi-conscious condition and muttering that he was innocent, police said. He reportedly told the police that he has swallowed a shaving blade too. The police are yet to confirm whether this is an attempt to commit suicide.

On Thursday (July 16), Jai’s brother-in-law had filed a missing person’s report at Thumba Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram after the security personnel didn’t come home and was unreachable over the phone.

S Shaji, a sub-inspector at Thumba Police Station told The Federal on Friday that the police have started a full-fledged investigation on the whereabouts of Jai with the help of the Dog Squad. According to him, Jai went missing from his wife’s house in Kuzhuvila near Infosys on Thursday evening.

Jai, a native of Karimanal and a civil police officer of Thiruvananthapuram AR Camp, was on duty for the Attache. The complaint said Jai was last seen talking on the phone while walking on the road. His phone had been switched off ever since.

His family told the police that Jai was also getting threats on the phone.

The call records – both outgoing and incoming calls – of Swapna Suresh, a key accused in the case, prove that she had been in touch with Jai. It is confirmed that Swapna had spoken to Jai on the same day of the seizure of 30 kg gold that came with the diplomatic baggage.

Jai on Thursday had surrendered the pistol allotted to him at Vattiyoorkavu police station in Thiruvananthapuram. Initially there were rumours that he was picked up by National Investigation Agency (NIA), but this was ruled out by Kerala police.

Sheimeili, who was in the middle of the controversy left the country a few days ago. He went to Delhi and then left for UAE. In her bail application, Swapna alleged that whatever she did was done under the instruction of the consulate general. The diplomat left the country leaving several questions unanswered.

Meanwhile, the opposition UDF has served notice for no-confidence motion against the government. A virtual session of the Assembly is supposed to be convened next week.