There is ample evidence to prove that the Mahara duo were involved in smuggling gold
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has recommended the prosecution of Rahul Mahara, son of former Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Krishna Bahadur Mahara, after grilling him multiple times for his involvement in a gold smuggling racket. The police have also recommended the Kathmandu District Attorney Office to prosecute two others, including a Belgian national of Chinese origin, for smuggling gold by hiding it in electronic cigarettes or vapes. They are to be prosecuted under two charges, namely, smuggling of gold and operating organised crime. With their prosecution, the question remains whether the former Speaker will also be dragged into the case. The CIB had called Mahara, who is vice-chair of the ruling Maoist Centre, last week to record his statement on the gold smuggling case, but he has not been recommended for prosecution by the police. The gold smuggling case surfaced in December last year after 9.12 kilos of gold were found concealed inside the e-cigarettes that two Chinese nationals had brought into the country from Dubai.
There is ample evidence to prove that the Mahara duo were involved in smuggling gold into the country.
Otherwise, why would they make more than 250 calls to gold smugglers, middlemen and government employees to release the vapes being held by the customs at the Tribhuvan International Airport? The customs had suspected foulplay after the Chinese nationals had brought boxes of e-cigarettes with them on December 25 last year instead of being sent by cargo like other imported goods. The customs had refused to release the e-cigaretteseven after the Chinese nationals had paid the taxes, which prompted them to visit the Mahara family so that he could exert pressure on the government officials to release the vapes.
Later investigation revealed that gold was hidden in the e-cigarettes, hence the frantic calls from the Mahara duo.
A series of big scandals involving high-profile people - including former prime ministers, deputy prime minister and ministers - have rocked the country this year that have tarnished the image of not only the leaders and their parties but also that of the country in the international arena. In July, the seizure of a quintal of gold bars by the Department of Revenue Investigation outside the airport after being cleared by the customs created much hullabaloo in the country, prompting the parties in the HoR to form a powerful commission to probe into gold smuggling.
The CIB may not have called the Mahara duo for questioning had pressure not built up on the government to investigate them for their alleged involvement in the gold smuggling case. No matter how powerful a post he commands in the party, Mahara's role and why he made so many calls must be thoroughly investigated. Other Maoist leaders, including former vice-president Nanda Kishor Pun, and his son must also be investigated for their alleged ties with the gold smugglers. Cherry picking of alleged criminals for prosecution in the gold smuggling case does not help promote the image of the government that is under attack in recent days from the public over the release of criminals from prison before completing their sentence.
KMC's footpath plan
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) is making an investment of Rs 2.15 billion this fiscal to make footpaths more pedestrian-friendly. Contracts have already been awarded to the selected contractors to develop the footpaths, where street vendors will not be allowed to sell goods by causing inconvenience to the pedestrians. Around 1,000 kilometres of roads with a width of less than eight metres fall within the jurisdiction of the KMC while the rest are managed by the Division Road Office.
Footpath encroachment is a major problem in the major and inner roads that has contributed to traffic congestion and road accidents. Footpaths are often occupied by small-time businesses where they do not pay any fee to the KMC. Footpath vendors have been calling on the KMC to provide them spaces where they can carry out their business. However, the KMC officials have said they do not have any spaces left for such businesses. The KMC's decision to impose a ban on street vending has left many small-scale businesses in the lurch. Considering the plight of thousands of low-income families, the KMC and federal government must find a way out so that they can also earn a living in the city where they have been living for ages.
A version of this article appears in the print on October 10, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
