CIB to make 50 people defendants in gold smuggling case

KATHMANDU, Sep 13: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has given the suggestion to make 50 people the defendants in the case of smuggling of 60 kg 716 grams of gold. 

A CIB official informed that the investigation report about to be submitted to the District Government Attorney's Office recommended 50 people as the defendants in the case.

A total of 32 people have been arrested in the case so far. Among the arrested, 23 of them are Nepalese and 9 of them are foreigners. 18 people suspected to be involved in the smuggling, including 14 foreigners and 4 Nepalese, are still absconding.

In a press conference held by CIB on Wednesday, CIB Chief Kiran Bajracharya said that a team of 42 CIB members conducted the investigation into the smuggling case. She added that the investigation took 35 days.

Bajracharya informed that the report prepared by the CIB will be submitted to the District Government Attorney's Office today. She also mentioned that the CIB may arrest more people in the smuggling case.

"The investigation is not over yet. More people may be arrested and additional investigation will be done", she said, "I believe that anyone can come under investigation during that period."