Congress leader Shashi Tharoor’s personal assistant was arrested by customs at the Delhi airport after he was allegedly caught “smuggling gold” from Dubai, said sources. According to sources, Shiv Prasad was detained on Wednesday by customs officials at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport.

According to customs sources, Kumar was arrested at IGI Airport while taking possession of gold brought from Dubai by one of his associates. The customs officials also seized the gold worth around Rs 30 lakh and launched an investigation to determine the origins and authenticity of the recovered gold.

As per the sources,Kumar, who arrived at Delhi Airport from Dubai, was questioned by customs officials about the source of the gold and why he was bringing it to India.

However, he was unable to provide satisfactory responses or a convincing account, nor could he present the necessary documents. Further investigation into the matter is underway. Shashi Tharoor, a former Union Minister, is currently the sitting MP from the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha constituency.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar wrote, “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.”

Shashi Thaoor said he 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.” Tharoor clarified that the person is a 72-year-old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis, and was retained on a part-time basis out of compassion.

“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,” Congress MP said in an X post.