Afghan Consul General resigns after gold smuggling incident

Zakia Wardak, the Consul General of Afghanistan, tendered her resignation on Saturday, citing "unfair targeting" and accusations of "defamation." This came after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai intercepted her last week at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport with 25 kg of gold, valued at over R18 crore, allegedly smuggled. Wardak shared her resignation statement on ‘X' on Saturday.

In a statement posted on X on May 4, Wardak said, "It is with great regret that I announce my decision to step away from my role at the Consulate and Embassy of Afghanistan in India, effective May 5, 2024. Over the past year, I have encountered numerous personal attacks and defamation not only directed towards me but also towards my close family and extended relatives."

The statement added, "These attacks, which appear to be organised, have severely impacted my ability to effectively operate in my role and have demonstrated the challenges faced by women in Afghan society who strive to modernise and bring positive change amidst ongoing propaganda campaigns," she added." DRI officials intercepted Wardak, at the Mumbai airport last week and recovered the gold as she was allegedly trying to smuggle into India from Dubai. A case of gold smuggling under the Customs Act, 1962, was registered.

"The gold has been seized, however, Wardak was not arrested as she enjoys diplomatic immunity. Under the law, if the amount of smuggled gold is valued above Rs 1 crore, the suspect is arrested and faces criminal prosecution. Wardak had a diplomatic passport, issued by the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," said a DRI source. "This is perhaps the first case in the city in recent times where a senior diplomat of a foreign country has been intercepted at an airport in a smuggling case," officials said.

"We received intel about Wardak and deployed around a dozen personnel at the airport. Wardak 58, accompanied by her son, flew to Mumbai from Dubai on an Emirates flight around 5.45 pm. The duo used the green channel, indicating they were carrying no goods that needed to be declared to customs. They were walking towards the airport exit when we stopped them," said an official from DRI.

Sources said the DRI officials asked the passengers whether they were carrying any dutiable goods or gold and they said no. Their bags were examined and cleared. "It was only after Wardak was taken to a separate room for a physical down check by a woman officer that the gold was discovered. The gold bars were concealed in her customised jacket, leggings, knee caps, and waist belt," said a senior DRI official

"We recovered 25 yellow-coloured metal bars, each weighing a kilogram. No contraband was found on her son. A government-approved valuer was called to verify the purity of the bars. The government valuer issued a certificate saying they were 24-carat gold bars weighing one kg each. They were collectively worth R18.6 crore," the senior official added.

The officer also said, "When we asked Wardak if she was carrying any documents to show legitimate possession of the gold, she could not produce anything. The gold bars and jackets were sealed and a panchnama was carried out before Wardak was allowed to leave.

A source familiar with the matter said, "Wardak was appointed consul general of Afghanistan in Mumbai under the erstwhile President Ashraf Ghani's govt. The Ghani govt was overthrown in August 2021 by the Taliban. The erstwhile Afghan diplomatic corps continue to operate their missions in Mumbai and Hyderabad providing consular, educational, and commercial assistance to Afghan nationals."

"The Afghan embassy in Delhi was shut down, but India has reopened its embassy in Kabul and despatched humanitarian aid to the war-torn country. Officially, the Indian govt continues to work with diplomats appointed by the previous Afghan govt," the source added.

Rs 18 cr
Value of the gold recovered