CIAA Files Gold Smuggling Case Against Former Speaker Mahara, 27 Others

The Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) on Thursday filed a corruption case at the Special Court against 28 individuals, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, on charges of gold smuggling.

According to the CIAA, the case involves smuggling gold concealed inside electric cigarettes (vapes) through the Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Office.

Those charged in the case include former Chief Customs Administrator Arun Pokharel, Chief Customs Officers Mukti Prasad Shrestha and Ambika Prasad Khanal, Customs Officers Ramesh Kumar Khatiwada and Subendra Shrestha, as well as officials including Subarna Prava KC, Bhuwan Raj Ghimire, Umesh Prasad Koirala, Rewanta Khadka, and Madhu Sudan Pokhrel.

Other accused include Resham Mahara, Nirmal Kumar BK, along with two Chinese nationals, a Belgian citizen, and an Indian national, according to CIAA Assistant Spokesperson Ganesh Bahadur Adhikari.

The anti-graft body has sought recovery of Rs 77.86 million from each of the accused individuals, citing their alleged involvement in the illegal smuggling operation.