Gold smuggling case: CIB recording Mahara’s statement today as well

KATHMANDU: The statement of Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Vice-Chairman of the CPN (Maoist Center), who was arrested in connection with the gold smuggling case, is being recorded today too.

According to the Kathmandu District Attorney Office, recording the statement of former Speaker Mahara, who was arrested from Pakadi of Kapilvastu on March 18, had started only on Wednesday.

Attorney Office Chief Sandesh Shrestha said recording of his statement has started since yesterday and will continue today as well.

The Kathmandu District Court had permitted the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police to keep Mahara in custody for four days in the course of investigation into the gold scam.

He had been kept at Norvic Hospital for medication as per the court’s permission.

CIB spokesperson Hobindra Bogati said the remand given to him for investigation will end today and it will be extended again if the statement recording and investigation is not completed.

Mahara’s name has been linked to a Chinese national involved in smuggling 61 kg of gold in brake shoes and 9 kg gold brought in electronic cigarettes.

At that time, the CIB had released him only after recording his statement. Mahara’s son Rahul was arrested in connection with the case earlier.

Rahul is currently in judicial custody.