Chennai Gold Smuggling: BJP-Linked Man Allegedly Aided YouTuber in Setting Up Airport Shop

The Customs department is investigating a gold smuggling racket at Chennai International Airport, focusing on GA Prithvi, the Managing Director of Vidvedaa PRG. This company rents out space for shops at the airport. Prithvi, a former state executive member of the Tamil Nadu BJP Youth Wing, is reportedly close to several top BJP leaders in both Tamil Nadu and Delhi. He rented out space in the airport’s transit area to Sabir Ali, the main accused in the gold smuggling case, to run the Airhub shop starting in February 2024. Notably, Sabir, a YouTuber from Chennai, had no prior experience in running such a shop.

On June 27, the Customs department arrested Sabir and eight others after uncovering a smuggling ring involving 267 kg of gold at Chennai airport. According to the Customs department, passengers smuggling gold would hand it over to staff members at Airhub, who would then hide it in their rectums to smuggle it out of the airport.

Following Sabir’s arrest, Customs officials searched the homes of two senior Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials and Prithvi’s residence. Sources indicate that Prithvi’s family informed Customs officials that he is currently in the U.S.

The Customs department’s investigation report revealed that Sabir Ali admitted to training all staff members at the Airhub shop to smuggle gold by concealing it in their rectums. The report stated, “The transit passengers would hand over gold at the Airhub shop or in the M1 and M2 toilets in the transit area of the departure terminal. The shop staff would receive the gold and conceal it in their rectums and smuggle it out of the airport.”

During questioning, Sabir Ali confessed that Prithvi used his influence with the AAI to set up the Airhub shop in the departure area of Chennai International Airport.

Who is GA Prithvi?

Prithvi’s company, Vidvedaa PRG Airport Retail Trz Private Limited, was established in October 2023. Shortly after, the company secured a contract for a 10,000 square feet space inside the transit area of Chennai International Airport. In February 2024, Prithvi rented out a shop space to Sabir Ali’s Airhub.

It is alleged that Prithvi’s influence within the BJP helped him obtain the contract in such a short time.