KATHMANDU, July 31: In a recent development, Dawa Tsering, a Belgian citizen of Chinese origin, has been arrested by Nepal Police, drawing attention to potential political connections. The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) had been looking into matters of dual citizenship and passport when they discovered Tsering's links with ruling Maoist Center leaders and administrative personnel.
Director General of DRI, Navraj Dhungana, stated that some 'clues' have emerged, linking Tsering to some extent in the latest gold smuggling case. Reports suggest that Tsering might also possess a Nepali citizenship certificate, further heightening the scrutiny he is currently under.
While specific details about Tsering's political affiliations remain undisclosed due to the ongoing investigation, it appears that he has had past interactions with leaders of the current ruling party. However, it's important to clarify that, in the context of the gold case, there are no known connections between Tsering and the leaders of the Maoist Center.
Previously, Tsering had been seen in social media posts alongside Maoist Center Vice Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Deputy Secretary General Barshman Pun, and former Vice Chairman Nanda Bahadur Pun. The reasons behind these contacts are yet to be revealed.
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The arrest took place at Hotel Vienna in Thamel, Kathmandu, following a raid conducted by the DRI on Sunday morning.
Following a tip-off about a gold smuggling gang operating from a hotel in Kathmandu, the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) conducted a raid resulting in the arrest of Tsering. Tsering, who entered Nepal on a visit visa after traveling from Belgium, is believed to have obtained Nepali citizenship through questionable means. According to sources, he secured Nepali citizenship on January 4, 2018, under political and administrative protection, using the name Nima Tamang.
Notably, last year, the DRI had apprehended four Chinese nationals belonging to a criminal gang operating out of Hotel Vienna in Thamel, where Tsering was arrested recently. During that raid, the police had seized incriminating evidence, including 26 laptops, 472 mobile phones, and 190,000 worth of SIM cards related to illegal activities such as online gambling, match-fixing, and showing obscene videos through a 'loan' app in Nepal. Tsering managed to evade arrest at that time, and it was revealed that he had connections with leaders of the Maoist Center.
In the past, Tsering's involvement in various criminal activities, including the arrest of 122 Chinese nationals in Kathmandu on the charges of online gambling, match-fixing, and extorting money from people in China, was discovered. He fled Nepal on that occasion as well after security agencies suspected information leaks through him. However, investigations were hindered due to his political connections, raising doubts about the progression of the current investigation.
The recent arrest has again exposed links between Tsering and leaders of the Maoist Center, fueling suspicions about the investigation's future course. As authorities delve deeper into the matter, concerns remain about potential obstructions due to political affiliations.
According to sources, Tsering is suspected of engaging in criminal activities by developing connections with Maoist leaders and having associations with Amala Roka from Thwang, Rolpa. Reports indicate that until 2074 BS, Amala Roka held the position of vice chairperson at the Rolpa-Kathmandu liaison office of the Maoist Center. Their association reportedly developed through business ties, particularly in the trading of herbs in the Thamel area.
Experts opine that Tsering's increasing proximity to Amala Roka brought him into contact with leaders of the Maoist Center. However, officials involved in the crime investigation are skeptical about the timing of Tsering's arrest, considering the recent news of Dao Jin's contact with Vice-chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara and his son Rahul Mahara who allegedly pressured the authorities to release gold seized at the Tribhuvan International Airport. They caution against dismissing this sequence of events as a mere coincidence.
Furthermore, concerns have been raised about potential interference in the ongoing gold smuggling case investigation if political connections are discovered. Authorities fear that the probe into the 100-kilogram gold smuggling case could be compromised, given that the statement of a key individual mentioned in the police report has not yet been recorded.
