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Gold Smuggling Investigation Commission submitting report to Home Minister Lamichhane
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The commission of inquiry on the control of illegal importation (trafficking) of gold is going to submit its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane on Thursday. The commission chaired by former judge Dilliraj Acharya is going to submit its report to the home minister today after about 5 months of investigation.
On October 14, the government formed a four-member commission under the chairmanship of former judge Dilliraj Acharya to investigate the gold smuggled in electronic cigarettes (vapes) and vehicle brakes and recommend action against those involved.
The four-member commission including ex-AIG Sahakul Thapa and ex-joint secretaries Kishorejung Karki and Premraj Joshi was given time to complete the work till December 16.
The government had extended the deadline of two months for the Commission, which was initially given a three-month term. After the work was not completed even in the additional two months, the Cabinet meeting held on February 14 extended the deadline again until the middle of February.
The Commission has prepared a report after the statement of 33 people brought under investigation by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, opinion/consultation with experts and representatives of related bodies and inspection and document study of some customs areas.
The CIB has confirmed that 363 kg of gold was brought in during the period of 11 months by hiding it in vape and break su. Based on that, the case filed is currently pending in the district court.
After the opposition parties, including the UML, took the stance that a powerful commission should be formed in the vape and break su cases, the commission was formed while the police investigation was continuing. Meanwhile, the CIB brought out the fact of more than 3 and a half quintals of gold smuggling and brought 21 Nepalis and 9 foreigners under investigation in the break su and vape case.
In the case of gold smuggling, the commission visited some major checkpoints and conducted on-site inspections regarding the operations and structures of the customs, and found that most of the mechanical equipment was damaged. The scanner, which was brought 20 years ago to be installed at the airport customs, was not installed and was found to be damaged due to rust. The x-ray machine was found broken at Rasuwagadhi checkpoint. It was found that no equipment was kept at the Tatopani crossing of Sindhupalchok.
It has been found that people and vehicles leaving the Biratnagar customs are not subjected to normal checks and inquiries, while the vehicle X-ray machine donated by China 20 years ago has been damaged and stopped at the Birgunj dry port. It was found that a large part of the illegal gold coming in through Rasuwagadhi and Tatopani crossings along with the airport was being transported to India through Sthalanaka.
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