District Government Attorney Office starts interrogation of Mahara arrested in gold smuggling case

District Government Attorney Office starts interrogation of Mahara arrested in gold smuggling case
By Republica
Published: March 21, 2024 08:35 AM

KATHMANDU, March 21: The District Government Attorney Office has started taking statements from Krishna Bahadur Mahara, vice chairman of the ruling CPN (Maoist Center), arrested in a gold smuggling case.

The Spokesperson for the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, Superintendent of Police (SP) Hobindra Bogati, informed Republica that the interrogation started on Wednesday afternoon.

He is being questioned for the second time after he was recently caught in the smuggling case of 9 kg of gold concealed in electronic cigarettes (vape). Last time after his arrest, he was released after giving his statement.

Mahara, who was arrested on Monday from Kapilvastu by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), has been admitted to Norvic Hospital for medical treatment. The police arrested him upon the recommendation of a High-Level Probe Commission, chaired by former High Court judge Dilliraj Acharya, after investigating the gold smuggling scam.

District Court Kathmandu granted the police a four-day custody extension for Mahara on Monday. The police are allowed to investigate him on matters such as organized crime.

On Monday, while taking permission from the court, the police presented the basis that Mahara played a role of abettor under Section 3 and Section 4 of the Organized Crime Prevention Act, 2070 BS by helping Dawajin Wang of Chinese origin to commit the crime of organized gold smuggling.

In his statement to the police as well as the prime commission, Mahara stated that he was only acquainted with Dawajin Wang of Chinese origin, who is accused of organized crime related to gold smuggling. Mahara said he was not aware of Wang’s other activities besides being a fruit trader.

The CIB had previously submitted a report to the District Government Attorney Office implicating Mahara and his son Rahul in the gold smuggling case involving Chinese national Li Hansong, who concealed gold in vape devices. Based on this report, Rahul Mahara is currently in custody. The CIB's call details and chart detailing the Mahara father and son's contacts with gold smugglers led to criticism not only of Mahara but also of the Maoist party.

TIA Customs officer Mukti Prasad Shrestha mentioned during his statement that Mahara father and son had shown interest in the gold. Additionally, Arun Pokharel, the former head of TIA customs, filed a complaint and requested an investigation into the matter.

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