According to reports, the wife of CPM leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan SR Vinodini dismissed the Customs report claiming that she had received the iPhone from Unitac MD Santhosh Eapen. Reportedly, she stated that she hasn't received an iPhone and does not know Santhosh Eapen.
Meanwhile, Unitac MD Santhosh Eapen confirmed that he had handed over the iPhone to Swapna Suresh, the main accused in the gold smuggling case. He further added that he has no acquaintance with Kodiyeri's wife Vinodini.
Earlier, the Customs department has served a notice to Vinodini asking to appear before the officials for interrogation at their Kochi office on March 10.
According to reports, Santhosh Eapen confirmed that he purchased six phones and handed all of them over to Swapna Suresh, who told him that the expensive phones were for gifting the consulate general. He even admitted that he doesn't know Vinodini in person. Meanwhile, yet Vinodini hasn't clarified whether Swapna gifted the phone to her.
The Customs claim that Vinodini used an iPhone given by Unitac Builders MD Santhosh Eapen which was brought as a gift for the guests who attended UAE National Day celebrations on December 2, 2019. The Customs had already alleged that after checking the IMEI number, they found that Vinodini was using the phone. Reportedly, they have found that she contacted Santhosh Eapen using this phone.
