KATHMANDU: The probe commission tasked with investigating gold smuggling has submitted its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.
Dilliraj Acharya, the Chairman of the commission and a former judge, said he delivered the report to the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday.
Amid allegations of shielding political figures implicated in the smuggling of 60 kilograms of gold passing through airport customs and other instances of gold smuggling, pressure mounted for the establishment of a high-level commission of inquiry.
Responding to these concerns, the government appointed former judge Acharya to lead the commission.
The commission comprised members including Kishor Jung Karki, Prem Raj Joshi, and Sahakul Thapa.
Acharya said that the commission has formulated recommendations for the government based on statements, on-site investigations, and technical analyses involving individuals associated with gold smuggling.
However, he refrained from divulging the specifics of the report’s contents.
Additionally, the commission members conducted on-site studies at various border crossings as part of their investigative efforts.
Initially slated for submission two days prior, the report’s delivery was postponed to accommodate the ongoing proceedings for the selection of the Chairman of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister’s vote of confidence in the House of Representatives.
Formed by the Council of Ministers on October 1, 2023, the Commission was tasked with investigating the illicit importation of gold.
Spanning approximately four hundred pages, the report outlines instances of gold smuggling, including the seizure of 60.716 kilograms from Tribhuvan International Airport and the discovery of 9.5 kilograms concealed within electronic cigarettes (Vape).
Recommendations for combating gold smuggling, along with identified airport vulnerabilities, are highlighted in the comprehensive report.
Among notable incidents, the arrest of a Chinese national at Tribhuvan International Airport, found in possession of electronic cigarettes containing 9 kilograms of gold, triggered subsequent investigations.
This led to the apprehension of Rahul, son of Maoist Vice Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara.
Furthermore, the Revenue Investigation Department seized 60.716 kilograms of gold, which had initially cleared airport customs scrutiny.
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