An aide of senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has reportedly been detained from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGAI) for allegedly trying to smuggle in gold estimated to be valued at over ₹55 lakh.  

The Customs Department said today that an FIR has been filed in a case of smuggling of gold against a passenger and his accomplice, who carried an Aerodrome Entry permit ID which is a part of the protocol team for an MP. 

“The circumstances of acquisition of Aerodrome Entry Permit, as a part of the protocol team for a member of parliament, are being looked into,” said Varun Koundinya, Joint Commissioner of Customs (IGI airport).

According to sources, Shiv Prasad was detained on May 29 by Customs officials at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport where a search led to the detection of gold weighing over 800 grams.

He reached Delhi from Bangkok by flight TG-323. He apparently could not present satisfactory responses or any convincing account when asked about the precious metal.

The Customs Department said, "Further investigations revealed the involvement of another individual who had come to the airport to receive the passenger and also assist in smuggling. The said individual was intercepted and a heavy gold chain weighing 500 was recovered from him which was handed over to him by the passenger inside the arrival hall."

“Gold valued totally at ₹35.22 Lakhs was recovered. The recovered gold has been seized under section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway,” the Department said.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor took to X and said “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 course.”

Further details are awaited.

Also read:

Smugglers convert gold into powder to avoid airport scanners, caught in Ahmedabad