Corruption Charges Filed Against Former Speaker Mahantha and Son in Gold Smuggling Case Involving 29 Individuals

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed corruption charges against former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, his son Rahul, and 27 others in connection with a gold smuggling case. The commission alleges collusion among customs officials in smuggling 8.48 kilograms of gold brought from Fly Dubai on Magh 10, 2079 BS (January 24, 2023).

On Chaitra 26 (April 9), Kathmandu – Following the conviction of customs officials at Tribhuvan International Airport for facilitating gold smuggling, the CIAA registered a corruption case against former Speaker Mahara, his son Rahul, and 27 others. Key customs officials named in the case include Chief Customs Administrator Arun Pokharel, Chief Customs Officer Muktiprasad Shrestha, Ambikaprasad Khanal, Customs Officer Ramesh Kumar Khatri, Subendra Shrestha, and several other customs personnel.

Along with Mahara and his son Rahul, the case includes Nirmal Kumar Bik, Lokendra Kumar Paudel, Dipesh Basnet, Gopal Suvedi, Dinesh Basnet, Ved Prakash Agrawal, Ramkeshav Thapa, Amrit Karki, and Nima Gurung. Additionally, Chinese nationals Li Hang Song and Dojing Wang, Belgian national Dawa Chiring, and Indian national Sahev Rao Pandurang are also named as defendants in the case.

The CIAA has accused the group of illegally trafficking 8.48 kilograms of gold, resulting in corruption amounting to NPR 77,868,000. While customs officials face corruption charges, former Speaker Mahara and his son Rahul have also been charged as conspirators in the case.