The government has decided to form a high-level probe commission led by a Supreme Court Justice to investigate the 61 kilos of gold seized at Sinamangal outside the customs office on July 18.
A meeting of the nationally recognized seven parties held in Singha Durbar on Wednesday agreed to form a high-level probe team in line with the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1969 to look into the gold smuggling case. This probe commission will start working from September 22.
According to Buddhiman Tamang, vice chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, who attended the meeting, said a justice who will lead the commission. He will be recommended by the Judicial Council in line with the Section 3 (3) Commission of Inquiry Act, 1969.
Section 4 of the Act has laid down a provision of functions, duties and powers of the Commission, according to which it can summon an individual under suspicion for taking statements.
Similarly, it retains power to order a document from an individual or a copy of a document from the government, public office or court.
The Section 5 states that it can enjoy more powers from the Act, if need be.
According to Section 5 (1) it can carry out search operations for any object or a written document from an individual or a place if is deemed necessary.
The Act has also laid down a provision, according to which a gazetted officer can be deployed in search of such an object or a document, such documents, if found can be confiscated.
This kind of commission retains powers to take actions against those held in contempt and acquit them in line with the Act.
“The Commission formed in line with this Act can take action against those charged with contempt. Anyone found guilty will be fined up to 500 rupees as per section 6 of the Act. But if the accused apologizes to the satisfaction of the Commission, they can be pardoned or will be acquitted.”
The probe commission will also look into the nine kilos of gold allegedly smuggled by Maoist Center Vice Chairman Krishna Bahadur Mahara and his son.
A meeting of the nationally recognized seven parties including the ruling alliance held today agreed to form a commission of inquiry to probe 61 kilos of gold seized outside the airport and additional nine kilos of gold brought in the form of e-cigarettes.
Maoist Center leader Mahara and his son have been implicated in the smuggling of nine kilos of gold.
The investigation carried out by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has shown that they were engaged in meetings and telephone conversations with Chinese people involved in the gold smuggling case.
