KATHMANDU: The Gold Smuggling Probe Commission is presenting its long-awaited report to the government.
Former judge Dilliraj Acharya, serving as the Commission’s coordinator, confirmed the completion of the report and its scheduled submission to the government today.
The report will be handed over to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane.
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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