Introduction
Renowned Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has responded to the recent arrest of his former staff member, Shiv Prasad, who was detained at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs 35 lakh. Tharoor shock and emphasized that he supports the authorities in their investigation, stating that he does not condone any alleged wrongdoing. This incident has sparked a political controversy, with Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar accusing the Congress and CPM of being an “alliance of gold smugglers.”
Tharoor’s Response
While Tharoor was in Dharamshala for campaign purposes, he learned about the incident involving Prasad, who had been providing part-time airport facilitation assistance to him. Tharoor clarified that Prasad is a 72-year-old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis. Due to his compassionate reasons, he was retained on a part-time basis. Tharoor firmly stated that he does not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully supports the investigative authorities. He urged them to take necessary action as required to investigate the matter, emphasizing that justice must prevail. www.newsreporto.com
Customs’ Discovery
Prasad was detained by Customs officials on Wednesday at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport after they discovered over 500 grams of gold during a search. When questioned, Prasad struggled to provide a satisfactory explanation for why he was carrying such a significant amount of precious metal. The Customs officials promptly took him into custody for further investigation into the gold smuggling case.
Tharoor’s Political Background
Shashi Tharoor, a former Union Minister, currently holds the position of Member of Parliament (MP) from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency. In preparation for the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, Tharoor is contesting against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. The gold smuggling incident involving Tharoor’s former staff member has become a focal point of the ongoing political battle between the two candidates.
Political Controversy
Chandrasekhar, taking advantage of the incident, criticized Tharoor and alleged that the Congress and CPM are an “alliance of gold smugglers.” He referred to previous instances involving the Chief Minister’s Secretary and now the detention of Tharoor’s former aide as evidence for his claims. Chandrasekhar’s comment was made on a public platform and further escalated tensions between the two political rivals.
Conclusion
Shashi Tharoor’s response to his former aide’s involvement in a gold smuggling case demonstrates his commitment to upholding the law and supporting the investigative authorities. Tharoor highlighted the compassionate grounds on which Prasad had been retained and stressed that he does not endorse any illegal activities. As the investigations proceed, it is essential that all necessary actions be taken to determine the truth and allow the law to take its course.
The political controversy sparked by this incident underlines the charged atmosphere surrounding the approaching Lok Sabha polls. Both Tharoor and Chandrasekhar are engaging in a war of words, with accusations being thrown from both sides. The outcome of these elections will determine the future political landscape, and it is crucial that all aspects of this case are thoroughly investigated and clarified before any judgments or conclusions are made.