KATHMANDU, Sept 6: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police is currently investigating two cases of gold smuggling. Among them are the 60 kg gold scam and the 9 kg of smuggled gold. Both these events are similar in nature. That is the reason why the CIB is investigating both the cases at once.
Sources said that during the investigation, Maoist leaders and activists were found to be connected to both the incidents.
Who are those leaders and activists involved in the network?
The CIB is investigating the gold smuggling case after arresting a Belgian national, Dawa Tsering. There are reports that Tsering worked with the help of a Maoist leader of Rolpa. The CIB is also investigating whether he was in contact with Maoist Center’s central leaders.
The CIB also found that Tsering was in contact with Maoist Center Vice Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Deputy Secretary General Barshaman Pun and former Vice Chairman Nanda Bahadur Pun. It is not clear why Tsering contacted them. Similarly, Daojin Wang, who was involved in the 9 kg gold smuggling case, has also been in contact with some Maoist leaders.
Pranish, the brother of Maoist Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun, is also a partner in Hotel Vienna, which Tsering is operating in Thamel. Tsering is operating the hotel in partnership with his wife Amala Roka, Manjil Shrestha, Chinese national Zili Yang, Chen Kaimu, Guangpeng Jong, and Pranish Pun. The police have prepared a list of about 25 individuals to question, including Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Barshaman Pun, Rahul Mahara, Dipesh Pun, Pranish Pun, Amala Roka, Bindu Magar, among others, according to sources.
"Many Maoist leaders are reportedly being interrogated. Arrested Chinese nationals have provided their names. The investigation process according to the law includes questioning the accused even though they may not have committed the crime," said the source.
The source also claimed that some suspected individuals of Tibetan origin and Indian citizens have contacts with some Maoist leaders and activists. Chinese smugglers have been found to have communication through WhatsApp with Maoist leaders in recent times.
In the gold smuggling case, the CIAA has questioned various individuals, including former Chief Secretary Jhalkaman Adhikari, both directly and indirectly. Tsering has also been interrogated by the CIAA.
Chinese citizens Lee Hansong, Daojin Wang, and others are involved in the gold smuggling cases.
People arrested in connection with the 60-kilogram gold smuggling case include Ram Kumar Bhujel, Dilip Bhujel, Harkaraj Rai, Thapten Tsering, Rajendra Rai, Ashok Lama, Jikwan Lin, Rajan Shrestha, Pushkar Raj Bhatt, Krishna Shrestha, Yadav Parajuli, Sudarshan Gautam, Santosh Chand, Kumar Dhakal, Saroj Shrestha, Surendra Tamang, Dawa Chiring, Tian Mi, Wen Tong, Dingsheng Fa, Lee Nengkai, Yao Puchong, Lee Wen Sung, Ganesh Poudel, Kishor Basnet, and Suman Kharel.