Nepal

33 kg gold smuggling: Supplementary case filed against two in Morang

33 kg gold smuggling: Supplementary case filed against two in Morang

By Hari Adhikari

Police escorting a suspect of 33 Kilo gram gold smuggling case to the District Court, Morang, on Tuesday, May 15, 2018. Photo: Keshav Adhikari

BIRATNAGAR: The government team, which has been investigating the 33 kg gold smuggling and the murder of co-conspirator Sanam Shakya, has started the second phase of investigation and filed a supplemental case against two new accused. Police presented Binod Adhikari of Damak in Jhapa and Motiram Shrestha of Charikot in Dolakha at the Morang District Court for their alleged involvement with absconding gold smuggling kingpin Chudamani Upreti aka Gorey. The duo were arrested after the team started an intensive search for the ringleader Gorey of Urlabari and his accomplices after filing a charge sheet against 63 persons including some investors and affiliates in the District Court, Morang. According to police the duo have been allegedly involved in illegal hundi operation and providing money to Gorey through hundi. Binod Adhikari has been operating New Siddha Khali Money transfer in Damak. The arrested have been remanded to judicial custody for five extra days for gold smuggling, forming criminal group, organised crime, abduction and taking hostage, and murder. Their charge sheets have been filed in supplement to the main charge sheet against 63 persons in connection to the 33 kilogram gold smuggling and murder of gold carrier Shakya, according to District Attorney Punya Prasad Pathak. According to the sources, Shrestha was allegedly involved in raising funds in Dubai from Nepali migrant workers for gold purchase while Adhikari was providing funds to the relatives of those workers in Dubai. Police have also accused Adhikari for raising funds from local investors for gold smuggling. READ ALSO: