KATHMANDU – Police have arrested Vice Chair of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara. He has been taken under police control for investigation as he was implicated in the gold smuggling scam.
Central Spokesperson of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General Bhim Prasad Dhakal said that the former Speaker was taken under police control from Kapilbastu today morning. He said Mahara has now been brought to Kathmandu from Kapilbastu.
Before this, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police had released him after recording his statement in the same case before this. Police took Mahara under control this time after the investigation commission formed to probe the gold smuggling scandal recommended for initiating investigation on the former Speaker. Former judge at the Supreme Court Dilli Ram Acharya is the coordinator of the investigation commission.
Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane had directed the police leadership to forward investigation process against all involved in the gold smuggling scam and recommended action by probe commission.
The name of former Speaker and Vice-Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre), Krishna Bahadur Mahara, was connected along with a Chinese national in 61-kg gold brought by hiding in brake shoe on July 18, 2023 and smuggling of nine-kg gold in e-cigarettes in January, 2023.
Mahara’s son Rahul and Dipesh Pun, son of former Vice-President, Nanda Bahadur Pun, are also found involved in the gold scam. Police have already arrested Rahul on August 30, 2023 and Dipesh few days ago.
