Shashi Tharoor Reacts to Aide’s Gold Smuggling Incident, Says Law Must Take Its Course
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor responded to reports of his former aide being apprehended at Delhi airport for smuggling 500 grams of gold, stating that the law should proceed as necessary. Tharoor clarified that the individual was a former member of his staff, employed part-time to provide airport assistance. He explained that the 72-year-old retiree, undergoing frequent dialysis, was employed on compassionate grounds but stressed that he doesn’t condone any wrongdoing.
Customs authorities detained two individuals, one of whom identified himself as Shiv Kumar Prasad, claiming to be Tharoor’s personal assistant. Prasad and another person were apprehended when the latter attempted to hand over gold to Prasad at the airport. Sources reported that Prasad had the permit to enter the aerodrome but allegedly received gold illegally.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar criticized the Congress-CPM alliance, labeling them an “alliance of gold smugglers” in light of the incident. Chandrasekhar’s comment referenced a previous gold scam in Kerala, implicating individuals linked to the Congress and CPM.
The incident surfaces amidst ongoing Lok Sabha elections, with Tharoor contesting from Kerala’s parliamentary constituency. Chandrasekhar, BJP’s candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, emphasized the relevance of the issue within the electoral context.
