KATHMANDU, June 9: The Kathmandu District Court has issued a 35-day public notice for 19 absconding defendants, including Jeevan Chalaune Jiwan Chalaune, involved in the 60 kg gold smuggling case, to appear before the court.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) filed a case on September 17, 2023, naming 29 individuals as defendants.
Gold smuggling case: INTERPOL issues diffusion notice against a...
According to CIB's investigation, the accused were found involved in crimes related to illegal gold smuggling by evading customs, organized crime, violations of the Citizenship Act, Passport Act, Nepal Rastra Bank Act, Payment and Settlement Act, forging citizenship documents and offenses related to arms and ammunition.
On July 2, 2024, the CIB filed a second-phase charge sheet at the district court, naming 46 individuals as defendants after completing its extended investigation.
Despite the filing of the case and the issuance of arrest warrants, 19 of the accused remain at large. Citing their continued absence, the court on Monday issued a public notice, directing them to appear within 35 days. Among the absconding are six Chinese nationals.
The case dates back to July 18, 2023, when 60.71 kg of gold was discovered concealed inside brake shoes cleared through the customs office at Tribhuvan International Airport.
