KATHMANDU: Former Speaker of the lower house of parliament and Vice Chairman of CPN (Maoist Center), Krishna Bahadur Mahara, has been admitted to Norvic Hospital in Kathmandu.

Mahara, who is also a suspect in a gold smuggling case, was arrested from Bhairahawa on Monday following directives from the Home Ministry based on the recommendations of the Gold Smuggling Probe Commission.

The Kathmandu District Court has granted permission to remand Mahara in custody for four days to facilitate further investigation.

Additionally, the court has ordered the Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB) to allow Mahara to remain in the hospital after he appealed, citing ongoing medical treatment for tuberculosis, uric acid, and prostate conditions.