On Chaitra 11th, a new committee has been formed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to take action against police officers accused of serious negligence in the investigation of the gold smuggling case.
The committee, formed to take disciplinary action based on recommendations for misconduct in the investigation of gold smuggling, includes former Inspector General Kiran Bajracharya of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), SP Sanjay Singh Thapa, DSP Rudra Kunwar, and Durga Dahal. Additionally, further investigation and action have been recommended against them by another committee formed by the Home Ministry. According to the spokesperson for the Home Ministry, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, a three-member committee led by the Undersecretary of the Law Division, Bharatmani Rijal, has been formed. Rijal leads the committee, which includes Nepal Police DIG Bhim Prasad Dhakal and Deputy Secretary of the Police Administration Division at the Home Ministry, Ram Bahadur Shahi.
The Rijal-led committee will study the report submitted by the high-level investigation committee into serious negligence in the investigation of the gold smuggling case. Bhattarai informed online media that "The commission has recommended departmental action against four police officers. However, the role and responsibilities of each individual and what action should be taken against whom will be studied by the Rijal-led committee."
On Chaitra 1st, Prime Minister Ravi Lamichhane and Deputy Prime Minister were briefed by the commission chaired by former Justice Delhi Raj Acharya. The 485-page long report suggested departmental action against four CIB officials for disciplinary action and mentioned the reassignment of all police officers involved in the investigation.
Based on the recommendations for disciplinary action, all four recommended officers have been reassigned to the Police Headquarters. The commission accused them of serious misconduct, including forcibly removing individuals giving statements, even Krishna Bahadur Mahara was acquitted, stating that they were involved in serious misconduct. Furthermore, the commission had recommended forming an independent commission to investigate the 60 kilograms or more gold smuggling case through Tribhuvan International Airport in July, as well as the illegal electricity diversion (BEP) of 9 kilograms. However, this request was halted by the parliament, after which the government prepared for the formation of the commission.
On the basis of party consensus, the government formed a four-member investigation committee on illegal gold smuggling on Asar 14th, under Acharya's chairmanship.
The committee included former Nepal Police Inspector General Sahakul Bahadur Thapa, former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Finance Kishorjang Karki, and former Undersecretary of the Home Ministry, Premraj Joshi.