Feb 08, Kathmandu- Former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is also the vice-chairman of the CPN Maoist Center, has returned after stating before the committee formed to investigate the gold smuggling case.

On Thursday, Mahara, who is also the former deputy prime minister, gave a statement before the committee led by former judge Dilliraj Acharya. After Mahara's name was linked to gold smuggling through electronic cigarettes (Vapes), the Commission took a statement from him. Mahara is a high official who will testify in the gold smuggling case. Mahara is a leader who has also been the Minister of Home Affairs and Finance.

It was found that Mahara had made several telephone calls with a Chinese businessman involved in gold smuggling. Mahara repeatedly pressured the officials to release the gold in the airport customs. In the case of gold smuggling, Mahara's son Rahul was detained by the CIB and investigated.

Earlier, the investigation committee has taken statements from various persons. After the CPN-UML blocked the house in Parliament regarding the case of 61 kg of gold recovered from Sinamangal on July 3, the government formed an investigation committee.