Mahara denies gold smuggling accusations

KATHMANDU: Former Speaker of the Parliament and Vice Chair of CPN (Maoist Centre) Krishna Bahadur Mahara, has reiterated his innocence regarding the gold smuggling case, while undergoing medical treatment at Norvic Hospital in Kathmandu following his arrest.

Mahara provided his statement to the Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB) on Thursday.

His arrest came amid suspicions of involvement in a gold smuggling operation, prompted by recommendations from the Gold Smuggling Probe Commission to file a case against him.

The Kathmandu District Court has granted Mahara permission to remain hospitalized following his arrest, allowing the CIB to continue their investigation while he receives treatment.