KATHMANDU, MARCH 19

The CPN (Maoist Centre) has held discussions on the arrest of the party's Vice Chair Krishna Bahadur Mahara in connection to the gold smuggling case.

The meeting held at the Prime Minister's official residence at Baluwatar today discussed the arrest on Monday of Vice Chair Mahara in the gold smuggling scandal, said Vice Chair and Spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota.

"The discussion is in progress. We are holding discussions on this matter from various perspectives. We will reach to a conclusion soon," Spokesperson Sapkota said.

According to him, the meeting will also arrive at a conclusion soon whether to suspend Mahara from the party's responsibilities. He said the party's views on this matter would be made public after holding a regular meeting.

Prime Minister and party chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' informed the meeting about the report of the Investigation Commission on Control of Gold Smuggling, 2080BS.

Vice Chair Mahara was arrested from Kapilbastu and brought to Kathmandu on Monday. The same day the Kathmandu District Court extended his remand in custody by four days pending investigation.