KATHMANDU, JULY 20

Well known businessman Deepak Kumar Malhotra has said that he, his family, or any of his business ventures are not associated with the smuggling of over 100-kg gold from Tribhuvan International Airport a few days ago.

Talking to media in a press meet that he called today in the capital, he denied involvement in the scam and said that he was ready to go to prison or abide by any punishment as per the exiting rules and regulations of the country if his link in the racket was proved.

Malhotra's concern was in relation to the news published in today's national daily Naya Patrika.

The news alleged that the 100 kg gold confiscated by authorities belonged to Malhotra. Speaking to scores of journalists present at the press meet, Malhotra demanded that the newspaper correct the false information or write a corrigendum or he would be forced to seek legal action.

'In the wake of false, imaginary and truthless news that did not follow basic professionalism and tar-nished my personal and professional life, I will be forced to seek legal action against the erring media,' Malhotra said.

Replying to the queries of journalists, Malhotra said the report might have been framed by the real racketeers to derail police investigation and stain his name. 'I think this can be done by the scammer to divert police investigation,' Malhotra said.

He however said that it was just his speculation and didn't mean to indicate any particular person.

He also clarified that he had not invested in any gold business and neither had he entered this business.

He also said he did not know any employee at the Department of Customs. 'My very presence here with you today, and the fact that I am not fleeing the country is proof of my innocence. I am ready to face any harsh punishment if any kind of direct or indirect involvement of mine in the racket is found,' he clarified.

Malhotra said that he had not been called by police or any government authority in connection with the case.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 21, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.