Kathmandu, October 13
Police have launched an investigation against former Vice President and Maoist Centre Vice-Chairperson Nanda Bahadur Pun (Pasang) and his sons in connection with the gold smuggling case involving e-cigarettes (vapes).
Earlier, police had arrested Maoist Centre Vice-Chairperson and former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Sunday for alleged involvement in smuggling gold in collusion with a Chinese organised network.
A senior Nepal Police official confirmed that former Vice President Pun, a resident of Rangsī in Rolpa, has also come under investigation for suspected involvement in the same gold smuggling case.
Two years ago, Pun’s eldest son, Jitendra, reportedly abused his political influence to obtain a citizenship certificate from the Ministry of Home Affairs falsely identifying him as a resident of Humla. He then traveled to the border area between Humla and China, reaching Taklakot, where he allegedly signed a written agreement and received four kilograms of gold from a Chinese group. The issue came to light after he failed to repay the principal and interest owed to the Chinese side for the gold.
According to family sources, Jitendra, who served as Pun’s personal secretary during his two terms as Vice President, is currently residing in the United States.
Police officials also stated that Pun’s younger son, Dipesh Pun, has gone into hiding after being implicated in multiple cases, including gold smuggling, cooperative fraud, and the Bhutanese refugee scam.
Dipesh was linked to two major smuggling incidents around nine kilograms of gold hidden inside vapes in 2022, and 61 kilograms of gold concealed inside brake shoes brought from Hong Kong in 2023. The probe commission formed to investigate the gold smuggling case had identified his involvement and recommended further investigation to the government.
Dipesh had been arrested earlier in connection with a cooperative fraud case but was later released on bail. Police sources say he is currently in India.
Similarly, Jiban Kumar Gurung, who was appointed as “Foreign Affairs Expert” in the then Vice President Pun’s secretariat, was arrested in March 2024 for his involvement in the gold smuggling case but was released on bail.
Pun’s relative, Amala Roka who also operated Hotel Vienna in Thamel was similarly linked to the gold smuggling case and released on bail of Rs 200,000 in June.
Police have intensified investigations into former Vice President Pun, citing the involvement of his sons, relatives, and members of his secretariat in gold smuggling, as well as his suspicious ties with Chinese groups.
