The commission of inquiry on the control of illegal importation (trafficking) of gold submitted its report to Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane on Thursday. The commission chaired by former judge Dilliraj Acharya submitted the report to the home minister today.

After about 5 months of investigation, the report made by the commission has 485 pages, 13 paragraphs and 9 schedules. According to the commission, the report was prepared based on on-site monitoring of 9 customs checkpoints, statements with 68 people and consultation with 61 experts. The commission has also recommended to prosecute some people.  Departmental action, list of persons regularly seen in CDR/DFL and list of persons found innocent are included in the report. 

On understanding the report, Home Minister Lamichhane promised to implement the suggestions given in the report. He also said that the culprits will be prosecuted and the measures suggested for improvement will be implemented. Home Minister Lamichhane has said that action will be taken against any agency and person who is weak, according to his secretariat. Home Minister Lamichhane says that those who helped in the past will also be brought under the scope of action.

The government formed a four-member commission under the chairmanship of former judge Dilliraj Acharya on October 14 to investigate and recommend action against gold smuggled in electronic cigarettes (Vape) and vehicle brakes. The four-member commission, including former AIG Sahakul Thapa and former joint secretaries Kishorejung Karki and Premraj Joshi, was given time to complete its work by December 16.

The government had extended the deadline by 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.