Former House Speaker Mahara arrested in Bhairahawa, being transferred to Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Krishna Bahadur Mahara, Vice Chairman of CPN (Maoist Center) and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was arrested in Bhairahawa this morning and is now being transferred to Kathmandu.

Confirming the arrest, Bhim Dhakal, spokesperson for the Nepal Police, stated that Mahara is being relocated to Kathmandu following his apprehension.

The Nepal Police had been monitoring Mahara after suspicions arose regarding his involvement in a gold smuggling case.

This arrest comes in the wake of directives issued by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane on Sunday, urging swift action against individuals implicated in such cases.

Previously, the Gold Smuggling Probe Commission had recommended that the government file a case against Mahara for his alleged role in the gold smuggling scheme.