KATHMANDU, Jan 6: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi on Friday directed the chiefs of security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the gold smuggling and nab the kingpin at the earliest.

Minister Nidhi directed to this effect at a meeting with the home secretary, IGP, Chief of National Investigation Department, Chief of Central Investigation Bureau on Friday.

The CIB has been entrusted to look into the gold smuggling as it will tarnish the image of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Minister Nidhi’s Press Advisor Ramji Dahal told Republica Online after the meeting. 

Present in the meeting were Home Secretary Lokdarshan Regmi, IGP Upendra Kanta Aryal, National Investigation Department Chief Ganesh Raj Adhikari and CIB Chief Nawaraj Silwal.

A team from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police had arrested Gopal Bahadur Shahi,43, of Nepalgunj-13 of Banke, Dilbandhu Thapa of Pathari-4 of Morang and Santosh Kafle of Janakpur, Dhanusha with the 34 kg illegal gold.

The gold was in a form of 282 gold biscuits, 19 rings and 15 necklaces and was hidden in a false bottom of suitcases. 

Acting on a tip-off, police arrested them while they were heading to Gaushala from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on a private car and a taxi.

 
• home minister
 
• kingpin
 
• gold smuggling