KATHMANDU: In a significant development related to the ongoing investigation into a major gold smuggling operation spanning Nepal and India, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has apprehended another key suspect.
Nepal Police Spokesperson DIG Kuber Kadayat confirmed the arrest of Suman Kharel, who was taken into custody in India. Authorities have initiated procedures to extend his detention for further questioning.
Kharal’s role in managing the gold, which had been procured by Chinese nationals, is under scrutiny by the police. His arrest is expected to shed light on additional crucial details related to the smuggling operation.
The investigation has revealed that Kharel fled to India following the arrest of Dawa Chiring, a Chinese and Belgian citizen involved in the smuggling case.
With Kharel’s arrest, the tally of individuals apprehended in connection with the 60 kg gold smuggling case has now reached 27. CIB officials are actively pursuing leads that connect the smuggling operation to Hong Kong and India.
A team led by CIB DSP Dharmaraj Bhandari, dispatched to India, successfully arrested Kharel and brought him back to Nepal. In parallel, CIB SSP Dinesh Acharya has been dispatched to Hong Kong as part of the ongoing investigation.
The gold, which had passed through customs at Tribhuvan International Airport on July 18, was subsequently recovered from Sinamangal by the Department of Revenue Investigation.
The CIB has been rigorously investigating this case since July 28, treating it as an organized smuggling operation. The authorities have limited time, with only 11 days left to conclude their investigation.
CIB sources indicate that they are in the final stages of preparing a comprehensive report to be submitted to the District Public Prosecutor’s Office in Kathmandu for further legal action. This report is expected to be submitted early next week.
Additionally, investigations have been initiated into Nepali individuals who have been linked, directly or indirectly, to Dawa Chiring, who was apprehended by the CIB. Despite not being directly connected to the gold smuggling case, Dipesh Pun, the son of former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun has been the subject of inquiry due to perceived associations.
Authorities involved in the investigation suspect that the gold, smuggled into Kathmandu by Chinese criminal networks, is being transported to India through the Bhairahawa border crossing. It is believed that this Chinese group was also involved in the contraband of the two kilograms of gold seized by the Armed Police Force team in Rupandehi on June 24.
A separate arrest was made when Humananda Giri of Ghorahi in Dang was apprehended with gold in a vehicle bearing license plate number Ba12 cha 3820, which was en route from Nepal to India. The Rupandehi police have also been investigating this organized smuggling case.
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