When about 100 kilograms of gold were seized by the Department of Revenue Investigation, it was found that the heads of the important offices of Tribhuvan International Airport were on leave.
It was found that the heads of airport customs office and airport security office were on leave.
Joint Secretary Arun Pokharel, Chief of Airport Customs Office, has been found to be on leave since June 2.
According to the customs department, he has taken a two-month long leave.
Pokharel, who was on leave from June 2, was approved for leave until September 3.
According to the department, he had taken sick leave stating that he had a back pain. He informed the director general of the department of customs and the finance minister about the leave.
Similarly, Arjun Chand Thakuri, the head of Airport Security Police Office, is also found to be on leave since Tuesday. He was on a week-long leave, an official at the Valley Police Office Ranipokhari, informed Nepalkhabar.
“DIG Thakuri, who is on leave since Tuesday, will come to office only next Tuesday,” said a senior official of Valley Police Office Ranipokhari.
Questions have been raised against the customs staff and the police after the Revenue Investigation Department seized the largest amount of gold so far.
Customs department officer Santosh Chand and Nayab Subba Kumar Dhakal have already been recommended for suspension on Thursday.
The department has formed an investigation committee under the coordination of Man Bahadur Paudel to look into the case.
About 100 kilograms of gold coming in through Hong Kong was seized by the Department of Revenue Investigation on Tuesday.
