KATHMANDU, March 15: The high-level commission tasked with investigating gold smuggling in the country has concluded that the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) committed serious errors in the investigation of gold smuggling.

AIG Kiran Bajracharya, the head of CIB, has also been recommended for action by the commission for protecting those who should have been prosecuted.

Along with this, departmental action has also been recommended against SP Sanjay Singh Thapa, DSP Durga Dahal and Rugam Kunwar, who investigated the case.

It is alleged that they let a key person involved in gold smuggling, Jiwan Chalaune, escape deliberately. They have been accused of bringing him to the bureau but letting him go at the end. 

Likewise, the high-level commission has recommended action against Jhalakram Adhikari, the former director general of the Department of Revenue Investigation.

He was recommended for action after his relationship with Chinese citizen Dawa Tsering involved in gold smuggling was revealed. It was found that there were regular conversations between Dawa and Adhikari on WeChat.

However, the CIB did not investigate him seriously.

In the Digital Forensic Lab report received by the commission, Dawa told Adhikari, “Very big amount of cash, I know very well, need to talk with you, I have some work.”

After that, it was found that he had sent photos of what looked like a water pump to Tsering. According to Commission sources, it is suspected that gold was smuggled by hiding it inside the water pump.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Rabi Lamichhane has expressed his commitment to implementing the recommendations outlined in the report, which was received on Thursday. He also highlighted serious shortcomings in the Central Investigation Bureau's (CIB) handling of the gold smuggling investigation.

 
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