Kathmandu, October 5
In the biggest gold smuggling case in Nepal’s crime history, the Morang District Court on Tuesday convicted seven persons. The court handed down a life sentence to the alleged kingpin, Chudamani Upreti aka Gore.
The court, however, interestingly did not convict anyone, even Gore, of the smuggling charge. But, the sentence was issued in connection with the murder of Sanam Shakya, who was first used as a porter for the gold smuggling gang.
Besides the murder charge, Gore has also been convicted of abduction and hostage-taking. The gang had abducted and tortured one named Shakya to death.
Five other people have also been given a life sentence. They are Tek Raj Malla Thakuri, Lhakpa Sherpa, Mohan Kaphle, Narendra Karki, and Bhojraj Bhandari. Two others have been given a jail sentence of 3.5 years each.
Several police officials were also dragged into the case. The court, however, acquitted them.
The acquitted officials are AIG Govindra Prasad Niraula (now retired), SSPs Dibesh Lohani (now DIG) and Shyam Bahadur Khatri, SP Bikas Raj Khanal, DSPs Sanjaya Raut, Prajit KC, SI Bal Krishna Sanjel, head constable Amar Bahadur Thapa Magar, and constable Bishnu Khadka.
Read our explainer on the notorious case here.
