KATHMANDU, July 3: Investigations into the nearly two kgs of gold recovered from the Kalidaha border crossing between Nepal and India in Rupandehi district have revealed the involvement of gold traders from Butwal in the smuggling. The recovered gold was about to be smuggled into India. 

On June 25, while the gold was being taken to India through the border crossing, a team of the Armed Police Force (APF) seized a suspicious item of brick-like color and shape, weighing about two and a half kilos. Upon investigation, the brick-like object was found to be gold weighing one kg and 965.3 grams.

On June 25, the APF team checked a Maruti Suzuki car with registration number BA 12 CHA 3820, which was about to cross the border into India from Kalidaha, Lumbini Cultural Municipality-13, Rupandehi, and recovered two gold bricks. The recovered gold and car were handed over to the Bhairahawa Customs Office for further investigation.

After the involvement of the owner of Balaji Gold and Silver Shop and Laxmipati Gold and Silver Shop located in Butwal Amarpath in the gold case was revealed, the investigation has been carried out by sealing the two shops.

Yuvraj Bhattarai, spokesperson for Bhairahawa Customs Office, said that based on the statement of the person who was arrested during the recovery of gold, Balaji and Laxmipati gold and silver shops at Amarpath in Butwal were also involved.

"Investigation is underway to find those involved in the case of gold smuggling. Everything cannot be said clearly now," he said, "The shops have been sealed and further investigation is being carried out. Detailed information about this will come later." Humananda Giri of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-10, Dang, who was arrested with the gold at Kalidaha checkpoint has already been presented before the district court and further investigation is underway. 

 
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