BIRATNAGAR, May 14: After recording statements of those involved in gold smuggling case, Morang District Court has started hearing over the scam. Noted advocates including Shambhu Thapa, Raman Shrestha, Yadunath Khanal and Raju Basnet defended the case on behalf of Sanam Shakya, one who was killed in course of smuggling 33 kg gold from Tribhuvan International Airport.
At the hearing, the advocates argued that conducting hearing over gold smuggling case does not fall under jurisdiction of the district court. They argued that Kathmandu District Court should be responsible for settling this case since the gold disappeared from Kathmandu while being taken away from TIA.
Two accused released, 28 others to remain in custody
They argued that the Morang District Court can handle the murder case of the accused, not the gold smuggling case, since Shakya was killed in a forest of Urlabari of Morang district.
Soon after the advocates defended the case, seven government attorneys—Gopal Rijal, Chiranjivi Parajuli, Manoj Acharya, Punya Prasad Sapkota, Punya Prasad Pathak, Rohit Pokharel and Padam Wasti defended on behalf of the government.