New Delhi/IBNS: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor's former personal assistant was arrested at Delhi Airport in a gold smuggling case by the Delhi Customs on Wednesday, media reports said.

Reports said Shiv Kumar Prasad had come to the airport to receive a person coming from Dubai.

Both were arrested when the incoming passenger tried to give over 500 gms of gold to Prasad.

Reacting to the reports, Tharoor, a Congress candidate from Thiruvananthapuram, posted on X, "While I am in Dharamshala for campaigning purposes, I was shocked to hear of an incident involving a former member of my staff who has been rendering part-time service to me in terms of airport facilitation assistance.

"He is a 72 year old retiree undergoing frequent dialysis and was retained on a part-time basis on compassionate grounds. I do not condone any alleged wrongdoing and fully support the authorities in their efforts to take any necessary action as may be required to investigate the matter. The law must take its own course."

After the arrest, BJP's Thiruvananthapuram candidate Rajeev Chandrasekhar has hit out at the Opposition alliance, INDIA.

In a dig, Chandrasekhar posted on X, "First CM Secy involved in Gold smuggling Now Cong MP "aide"/PA detained for Gold smuggling CPM and Cong - both INDI alliance partners - alliance of gold smugglers."