GOLD SMUGGLING NOT "TERRORIST ACTIVITY" UNDER UAPA THOUGH IT THREATENS ECONOMIC SECURITY OF NATION: KERALA HIGH COURT The accused had allegedly smuggled gold through the diplomatic channel availing the intimate connection Swapna Suresh and Sarith P.S had with the Consulate of United Arab Emirates at Thiruvananthapuram; wherein the duo were formerly employed. A piece of particular baggage was detained by the Customs Officials when 30.422 kgs. of gold worth Rs.14.82 crores were seized from it. The investigation revealed repeated consignments of contraband having been brought into the country, camouflaged as diplomatic baggage. On March 22, 2021, a Special Court for offences under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008, had rejected the bail plea moved by the accused leading to the present appeal before the High Court. The Kerala High Court on ruled that, while gold smuggling could threaten the economic security of a country, the same is not covered by the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. They made this observation while granting bail to accused Swapna Suresh and seven others in the gold smuggling case that had shaken the State in 2020. With a team of Commercial Law experts, Reddy & Reddy Law Firm has extensive experience and involvement in commercial disputes, including Insolvency Proceedings. We are regularly involved in representations before NCLT, NCLAT, DRT and other commercial tribunals in India.