KATHMANDU, Oct 14 — The District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, has filed a case against former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara in connection with the 9-kilogram gold smuggled through electronic cigarettes.
Authorities have sought a prison sentence of over three years and recovery of more than Rs 85.5 million from him.
District Attorney’s Office Chief Ramhari Kafle confirmed that the case was registered on Monday. A detention hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to determine whether Mahara will be remanded to custody or released on bail.
China congratulated Speaker Mahara
Mahara was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police on Sunday after investigators found evidence linking him and his son, Resham Mahara alias Rahul, to a Chinese smuggling network. The network allegedly smuggled gold concealed inside electronic vape devices.
Mahara is accused of using his political influence to pressure airport officials to release gold hidden in vapes which were seized by customs at Tribhuvan International Airport. CIB investigations uncovered hundreds of phone calls between Mahara, his son, and two Chinese nationals — Li Hansong and Daojin Wang — which investigators say serve as key evidence of coordination.
Li had arrived in Nepal from Hong Kong on December 25, 2022, carrying two suitcases with 730 electronic vapes concealing around nine kilograms of gold. The vapes entered Nepal through the passenger terminal instead of the cargo section and were later seized and sealed by customs.
When the goods remained stuck, the smugglers allegedly approached Mahara’s son for help and later sought Mahara’s direct intervention. The CIB has recommended charges of violating customs laws, conspiracy, and organized crime against Mahara and others.
In his statement to investigators earlier, Mahara denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had called airport officials “in good faith” to inquire about delayed goods and had no knowledge of illegal activities.
Mahara’s son Rahul was previously jailed by the Kathmandu District Court in 2023 for his role in the case and later released on bail after serving 14 months.
Mahara, a senior Maoist leader and former Minister of Communications, was released earlier on general date due to health issues, including tuberculosis and prostate problems.
