Zakia Wardak, Afghanistan's Consul General in Mumbai, tendered her resignation following allegations of attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs. 180 crore from Dubai to India, as reported by multiple Indian media outlets.
According to reports, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted Wardak at Mumbai airport on April 25, seizing 25 kilograms of gold valued at Rs. 186 million. The Afghan diplomat was allegedly attempting to transport the gold into India from Dubai. Subsequently, Indian authorities initiated legal proceedings against Wardak under the Customs Act, 1962, regarding the incident.
Wardak, appointed as a diplomat during the tenure of former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, saw her role intersect with the changing political landscape of Afghanistan. Following the Taliban's assumption of power in 2021, Wardak remained in her diplomatic post, demonstrating India's continued engagement with officials appointed by Ghani's government.
In December of the previous year, Wardak had assumed the position of acting ambassador alongside Hyderabad Consul General Sayed Mohammad Ibrahimkhil, following the closure of the Afghan embassy in New Delhi, announced by former Afghan ambassador to India, Farid Mamundzay.
The allegations against Wardak have raised significant concerns regarding diplomatic conduct and international law, with investigations ongoing to determine the full extent of her involvement in the alleged gold smuggling operation.
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