Kathmandu । Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara has been released on bail of Rs. 2 million following an order from the Patan High Court on Friday.
A joint bench of Patan High Court judges Arjun Prasad Koirala and Tejendra Prasad Sharma Sapkota issued the directive to release Mahara, who had been in custody after being arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on October 10 in connection with a high-profile gold smuggling case.
Background of the Case
The case dates back to 10 December 2079, when Li Hansong, a Chinese passport holder, arrived in Kathmandu on FlyDubai flight number FJET0587 carrying two suitcases. Upon inspection, authorities found 730 pieces of gold packed in 73 boxes. The total value of the smuggled gold was estimated at Rs. 85.5 million 28 thousand 374.
Investigations by the CIB later revealed that the gold had been transported and sold with the connivance of customs officer Revanat (Rewant) Khadka. The suspicion arose after the airport customs office seized the suitcases due to irregularities. While Li Hansong retrieved his passport and left Kathmandu the next day, the suitcases remained in customs custody for an extended period.
Allegations Against Mahara
Mahara was accused of exerting pressure on customs officials to facilitate the release of the gold. His son, Rahul Mahara, had previously been arrested in the same case and sent to judicial custody.
On 26 Baisakh 2080, after receiving intelligence that the smuggled gold might have been secretly swapped, the airport customs office formally notified the CIB, prompting a thorough investigation.
CIB Findings and Prosecution
Following a two-month investigation, the CIB concluded that 9 kilograms of gold had been successfully smuggled through the airport. The bureau subsequently filed cases against six individuals, including customs official Rewant Khadka.
Later, a supplementary prosecution was filed against Dawa Tshering, a Belgian citizen of Chinese origin, Lokendra Poudel, driver, Rahul Mahara, son of Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Nima Gurung, driver.
The case remains under judicial consideration as authorities continue to trace the full network involved in the smuggling operation.
