Kochi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is questioning former IT secretary M. Sivasankar over his links with the accused in the diplomatic baggage gold smuggling case.

The former principal secretary to the CM is being questioned in a special room set up at the NIA office in Kochi. Senior officials and advocates are also present. This is the second time that NIA is questioning Sivasankar in relation to the case.

Sivasankar had reached Kochi from Thiruvananthapuram around 9.30 am. The NIA team questioning Sivasankar includes officials from Kochi, Delhi and Hyderabad. They had prepared a list of 56 questions. The advocates will examine the legal validity of Sivasankar’s statements and evidence.

During the questioning in Thiruvananthapuram, Sivasankar had told the NIA that he knew Swapna Suresh and Sarith, the two accused in the case, but only had friendship with them. It is learned that Sivasankar’s statements were contradictory. The NIA will seek clarity in this regard.