Corruption case filed against former speaker Mahara and 27 others in gold smuggling scandal

Kathmandu: A special court has registered a corruption case today against 28 individuals, including former Speaker and Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara, and Government of Nepal Joint Secretary Arun Pokharel, on charges of smuggling gold concealed in electronic cigarettes (vapes).

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has named 28 people, including Mahara, Pokharel, Mahara's son Rahul, and a company, as defendants for illegally transporting gold in vape pen wrappers in collaboration with Chinese smugglers. The CIAA has imposed a fine of Rs 77.868 crore on the accused.

According to CIAA Assistant Spokesperson Ganesh Bahadur Adhikari, in 2079 BS, Mahara and others were found to have facilitated the smuggling of gold from a Chinese gang hidden in vape pen wrappers. Investigations revealed that the gold belonged to Nandukumar Randuram Margle of Maharashtra, India, and was intended to be brought from China to Indian citizens by Dajin Wang before the operation was uncovered.

Mahara, who was active during the Maoist armed conflict, has held several powerful positions since the peace process, including ministerial roles in Finance, Home, and Foreign Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister, and Speaker of the House.

Previously, Mahara faced controversy after an audio clip emerged suggesting he sought Chinese funds to influence MPs following the first Constituent Assembly elections. He was later arrested from the Speaker’s residence in Baluwatar on charges of raping a parliamentary staff member.