CAT Upholds Dismissal of Customs Official in 705 Kilogram Gold Smuggling Case

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) at Ernakulam has upheld the dismissal of customs official B Radhakrishnan, accused of smuggling 705 kilograms of gold through Thiruvananthapuram airport. The tribunal found substantial evidence supporting his dismissal, deeming his actions a national security issue.

The Ernakulam bench of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has confirmed the dismissal of a customs official implicated in a major gold smuggling operation. B Radhakrishnan was dismissed after being linked to the trafficking of over 705 kilograms of gold into India via Thiruvananthapuram International Airport between 2018 and 2019.

Justice Sunil Thomas and V Rama Mathew, members of the bench, assessed the materials presented and determined that the disciplinary authority had ample justification to terminate Radhakrishnan's employment. They expressed no need to challenge the findings or the decisions made by both the disciplinary and appellate authorities.

Radhakrishnan's efforts to contest his dismissal were rejected, affirming the disciplinary and appellate rulings. Principal Additional Director General CBIC Sumit Kumar, responsible for the initial actions against Radhakrishnan under the COFEPOSA Act, lauded the tribunal's decision, underscoring the national security implications of smuggling activities.

(With inputs from agencies.)