KATHMANDU: A case has been filed at the Kathmandu District Court against former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara on charges of customs evasion and organized crime linked to gold smuggling through electronic cigarettes (vapes).

Mahara was arrested by the CIB on Sunday, and the District Government Attorney’s Office filed the case without extending his custody.

He had earlier been arrested in the same case on March 18, 2024.

The case involves a Chinese national, Li Hansong, who in December 2022 smuggled 9 kg of gold hidden in 730 vapes via Tribhuvan International Airport.

Mahara’s son, Rahul Mahara, is already in custody for his role in the same case.

Investigations found Mahara and his son were in contact with the Chinese smuggler, and Mahara allegedly called customs officials to help release the smuggled goods.