Former Speaker Mahara arrested

Kathmandu: Former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has been arrested. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested CPN (Maoist Centre) leader Mahara.

He was apprehended on charges of taking organized benefits by forming criminal groups through smuggling of gold, stated a press release issued by Bureau Chief, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shiva Kumar Shrestha.

Former Finance Minister Mahara was convicted of taking benefits by selling the gold that was seized from Chinese national Li Hansong at Tribhuvan International Airport, it is stated.

The Chinese national was arrested at the airport while illegally importing 73-packet of 730 electric cigarettes in two suitcases. Mahara was taken under control for further investigation as per the Customs Act, 2008 and relevant laws on criminal advantage and organized crime.

It has been found that the gold packed in cigarette worth Rs 85.52 million stored in the warehouse of the Government of Nepal was sold, and a criminal group was formed to gain organized profits, the press release said.

RSS