Former Minister K. T. Jaleel, MLA, has alleged that a toxic mix of political and business interests had prompted the UAE gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh to scandalise and defame him by raising “unfounded” allegations.
Dr. Jaleel claimed that a rural welfare organisation with alleged Sangh Parivar links had employed Swapna after the court released her on bail from prison. (Swapna had alleged that Dr. Jaleel had connections with the private group.) The organisation was engaged in a legal wrangle with a Mumbai-based group.
Dr. Jaleel alleged that Swapna's handlers in the organisation had a political motive to attack the Left Democratic Front (LDF) leaders. Dr. Jaleel said he knew the owner of the Mumbai-based group and reckoned him a friend. But, he had no financial links with the company.