KATHMANDU: The hearing on whether to keep CPN (Maoist Centre) Vice Chair Krishna Bahadur Mahara in detention has remained incomplete. And, he has been sent back to the custody of the Kathmandu District Police Office.
Mahara was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Sunday on charges of involvement in smuggling nine kilograms of gold hidden inside electronic cigarettes (vapes) brought from Dubai. The CIB filed the case at the district court on Monday.
On Tuesday, the Kathmandu District Court bench of Judge Harka Bahadur Kshetri conducted Mahara’s statement recording and detention hearing. However, as the hearing could not be concluded, he was sent back to police custody.
According to the Office of the Government Attorney, Mahara faces charges under customs evasion and organized crime, with a claim of Rs 85.5 million in damages. The detention hearing began on Tuesday.
CIB has claimed that Chinese national Li Hansong smuggled the gold concealed inside vapes with Mahara’s involvement. A supplementary charge sheet against Mahara was also filed on Monday.
Earlier, Mahara had appeared before the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) last Thursday to give his statement regarding the same case. The interim government resumed investigations into his alleged role in collaboration with a Chinese organized network.
Mahara, who was previously arrested during Rabi Lamichhane’s tenure as Home Minister, was released on bail citing health reasons. At that time, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, chair of the Maoist Centre, was serving as Prime Minister.
Mahara was first investigated in 2022 for alleged involvement in smuggling gold hidden in electronic cigarettes.
However, despite the charges, the Maoist vice chair had remained outside the legal net due to his political influence.
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