Shashi Tharoor Responds to Aide Caught at Delhi Airport with ₹35 Lakh Gold

New Delhi: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has expressed his shock and support for authorities following the detention of a former aide at Delhi’s IGI Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold worth ₹35 lakh.

Shiv Prasad, a former staff member who had been assisting Tharoor part-time with airport facilitation, was caught by Customs officials at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport. During a search, officials discovered over 500 grams of gold in his possession. Prasad, a 72-year-old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis, could not provide satisfactory explanations for carrying the precious metal.

Tharoor, currently in Dharamshala for campaigning, addressed the incident in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “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 stated. “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 own course.”

Sources indicate that Shiv Prasad was detained on Wednesday and is under investigation for his involvement in the smuggling attempt.

Shashi Tharoor, a former Union Minister and current MP from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency, is contesting in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls against Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar. Chandrasekhar criticized Tharoor today, alleging that the Congress and CPM are an “alliance of gold smugglers.” In a post on X, he said, “First CM Secy involved in Gold smuggling, now Cong MP aide/PA detained for Gold smuggling. CPM and Cong – both INDI alliance partners – alliance of gold smugglers.”