Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has been put on the defensive as the central agencies tightened grip on it in the last months of the tenure. When the investigation into gold smuggling case by NIA, Customs and Enforcement Directorate is progressing, CBI also joined them with the probe into Life Mission scam. These agencies are parallelly investigating if any illegal activities took place under the guise of religious text distribution.

This could be the first time the probe agencies under the central government is cornering a state government which is led by an opposing political party. A minister and the former principal secretary of the chief minister are under suspicion and this disarms the government in the critical situation.

The chief minister was of the opinion that the investigation was on the right path until minister K T Jaleel was quizzed. CPM took stand against the probe agencies. Meanwhile, gold smuggling case accused Swapna Suresh disclosed that she received a huge amount as commission in Life Mission deal, a fresh controversy erupted.

Though the chief minister hinted on a vigilance probe into the case, nothing happened. However, the investigation was ordered the other day, but the opposition alleged that this was a move fearing CBI probe into the same. Though the project is implemented by consulate, the contract between Red Crescent and Life Mission is raising suspicion in the issue.