Biratnagar, July 4

The Government Attorney’s Office of Morang today filed charge sheet against seven more persons in connection with the smuggling of 33 kg gold at Morang District Court.

According to court Registrar Nawaraj Dulal, a charge sheet was filed against Rewanta Kumar Acharya and Sandip Khadka of Urlabari, Morang; Binod Adhikari of Damak, Jhapa; Motiram Shrestha of Charikot, Dolakha; and Madan Shivalal, Laxu Bahadur Gurung and Ram Kumar Tiwari of Kathmandu.

They have been pressed with organised crime, smuggling, hostage taking and murder charges.

Among them, Khadka is still absconding. Hearing on the recently filed cases will start from tomorrow.

Initially, a charge-sheet had been filed against 63 persons in connection with gold smuggling at Morang District Court on May 2 accusing them of smuggling around 38 quintals of gold worth over Rs 17 billion.

Meanwhile, five other persons arrested recently in connection with the same case were produced at the court today to seek a date for investigation.

Businessmen Bimal Poddar, Akbar Shah, Prabhat Agrawal, Istiyaj Uddin and Raj Kumar Daruka were produced at the court. The court has extended detention by10 days for investigation.

Detained at different times for their involvement in illegal hundi transaction by the government-formed committee to investigate the gold smuggling case, they were taken to Biratnagar today itself.

According to District Police Office Morang Spokesperson Deputy Superintendent of Police Nisan Thapa, the five also have been pressed with organised crime, smuggling, hostage taking and murder cases.