KATHMANDU, Sept 17: A case has been formally registered against 29 individuals involved in the recent 60 kg gold smuggling scam.
Although the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police had initially implicated 50 individuals in the case, the District Public Prosecutor's Office in Kathmandu proceeded with charges against 29 people.
Out of the 29 accused, 26 are currently in police custody, while three remain at large. A total of 32 individuals were apprehended during the investigation, with the CIB recommending not to charge six of those arrested.
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The charges against the defendants extend beyond the smuggling of the 60 kg of gold that was seized during the operation. According to the charge sheet, they are accused of illegally smuggling a total of 362 kg 778 grams of gold.
The CIB submitted its investigation report on the gold smuggling case to the public prosecutor's office last Wednesday. Deepak Dahal, information officer of the District Public Prosecutor's Office in Kathmandu, stated that the relevant evidence is currently under review, and the case has been officially registered.
The defendants are facing a range of charges, including illegal gold theft, involvement in organized crime, violations of the Citizenship Act, Passport Act, and Immigration Act. As these offenses are considered integrated crimes, additional penalties are being sought. If these integrated offenses are proven, an additional half sentence may be added to the charges carrying the highest penalties.
