KATHMANDU, MARCH 22

Vice-Chairperson of CPN (Maoist Centre), and former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who was arrested on gold smuggling scam, has been released today on a condition that he should be present when necessary.

Spokesperson of the Central Investigation Bureau of the Nepal Police and Superintendent of Police, Hobindra Bogati, said Mahara was released on guarantee of his son, Nirmal Mahara.

Mahara was released on the condition that he be present when needed after a team of CIB and District Public Prosecutors Office, Kathmandu, completed recording his statement today.

Mahara was arrested in Kapilvastu and brought to Kathmandu on March 18. Investigation had started remanding him a four days custody.

A commission formed under the leadership of former justice Dilli Raj Acharya to probe into gold smuggling had recommended filing case against Mahara. Based on the recommendation, CIB had arrested him.