Biratnagar, May 17

Arguments in connection with the smuggling of 33kg gold and subsequent murder of gold carrier Sanam Shakya continued into the eighth day at Morang District Court today.

Senior advocates Devi Prasad Ghimire and Ramesh Koirala, besides advocates Hem Raj Panta, Yagya Prasad Shiwakoti, Muktinath Subedi, Shankar Thapa and Bhanubhakta Niraula put forth their arguments today.

They recorded their statements defending former DIG Govinda Prasad Niraula, Bhujung Gurung, Prajit KC, Amar Man Dangol, Lal Bahadur Magar and Raju Maharjan.

Earlier, District Office Attorney had filed a case against 63 persons for their alleged involvement in 38 quintal smuggling of gold worth Rs 17.1 billion, abduction, hostage-taking and murder charge on May 2. Of them 30 are in police detention while the remaining 33 other are absconding.

A total of seven state lawyers had recorded their statements last Thursday and Friday while as many as 42 law practitioners have been positing their arguments for the defendants since Sunday.

Assistant Attorney of District Court Morang Padam Prasad Osti said that law practitioners advocating for the defendants will complete their statements by Monday at the earliest. Following their recordings, state lawyers will answer questions raised by the defendants in front of the bench.