Customs Dept files case over UAE consulate consignments

Kerala minister K T Jaleel minister had accepted packets of the Quran and food kits directly from the consulate and ferried the consignment to his constituency in a government vehicle, violating protocol.

K T Jaleel, UAE Consulate, Customs Department, Kerala news, Indian Express

Kerala Higher Education Minister K T Jaleel leaving the NIA office.

The Customs Department has registered a case in connection with the illegal import of religious textbooks and other items using the diplomatic channel of the UAE Consulate.

Kerala minister K T Jaleel had accepted packets of the Quran and food kits directly from the consulate and ferried the consignment to his constituency in a government vehicle, violating protocol.

The case does not name anyone, but a source it said would cover officials of the consulate, and state government employees.

“If minister K T Jaleel is familiar with the imported items, definitely he would also have to give a statement to us. As per the Customs Act, we don’t make anyone an accused and take his statement later. For us, it is another way,’’ this source said.

Another official said the matter would be probed as part of the ongoing gold smuggling case. “We have come across the misuse of the diplomatic cargo for illegal import in the previous years as well,” a source said.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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