KATHMANDU, Oct 12, 2025 – Former House Speaker and CPN (Maoist Centre) vice-chair Krishna Bahadur Mahara was arrested on Sunday by a team from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police in connection with an ongoing gold-smuggling investigation, authorities said.

What happened

A CIB team detained Mahara from his residence in the Kathmandu Valley on fresh instructions from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), which has been probing allegations that gold was smuggled into Nepal concealed inside electronic cigarettes (vapes).

“Mahara was detained for further investigation in the gold-smuggling case,” a CIB official said, adding that the bureau will record his statement and continue inquiries in coordination with CIAA and customs authorities.

Allegations and legal basis

Investigators allege Mahara helped facilitate the smuggling route that reportedly brought gold into the country disguised inside import consignments of vapes and other goods. The probe links Mahara to incidents dating back to late 2022, including a seizure of 9 kg of gold in vape consignments; his son, Rahul Mahara, has previously been arrested in related cases. Mahara faces investigation under the Customs Act and provisions related to organized crime.

Background and previous action

Mahara has been connected to the broader gold-smuggling inquiries for more than a year. He was earlier questioned and briefly detained in March 2024 and later released under medical and court conditions; media reports say past probes led to limited action until renewed CIAA involvement triggered the latest CIB move.

Timeline (key dates)

• Dec 2022 – Seizure of gold hidden in vapes (9 kg reported in several parcels). Investigations began linking consignments to organized networks.
• Mar 2024 – Mahara was arrested and later remanded but allowed hospital stay on medical grounds.
• Oct 9–12, 2025 – CIAA questioned Mahara; CIB arrested him on Oct 12 following CIAA directions.

Value and scope of alleged smuggling

Media reporting and police sources estimate the value of seized consignments and linked gold in the broader probes at tens of millions of rupees – one report quoted an estimated value of around NPR 85.5 million for linked consignments – and investigators are exploring ties to both domestic intermediaries and foreign nationals.

What this means politically

Mahara is a senior figure in the CPN (Maoist Centre). The arrest of a high-profile leader in an organized-smuggling investigation will likely intensify scrutiny of political protection claims and could prompt party and parliamentary reactions as the probe continues.

What investigators say will happen next

CIB has said it will record Mahara’s statement and continue investigations in coordination with CIAA and customs; prosecutors will decide on remand extensions and formal charges based on the investigation’s findings.

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Quick facts box (for sidebar)

• Name: Krishna Bahadur Mahara (b. 1958) – former Speaker of the House.
• Arresting body: Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Nepal Police. Kathmandu Post
• Primary allegation: Involvement in gold smuggling via vape import channels; linked seizures include 9 kg (vapes) and larger consignments alleged in other probes.
• Related persons: Rahul Mahara (son) has been implicated/arrested in related cases.