Kathmandu: Senior Vice-Chairperson of Nepal Communist Party (UML) Ishwar Pokharel has issued a warning about legal action in response to the publication of news linking his family to a government factory under investigation for gold smuggling along with the claim of his involvement in the gold smuggling case.

Pokharel, in a statement issued on Friday, not only disregarded journalistic ethics but also expressed concern that an online medium, without adhering to the basic standards of journalism, has published completely false news connecting his family and falsely attributing them with one hundred percent fabricated information.

Pokharel stated, ‘This disputed online source, by publishing news about the controversial online operation of the Maoists preparing news in the government factory, has damaged our party’s reputation and has turned the gold smuggling case into an entirely different matter.’

Pokharel challenges for the verification of his family’s association and appeals not to be misled by such false information. He has also indicated his intention to further advance legal proceedings regarding this matter.”

Pokharel wrote on Facebook: “Nepalkhabar, an online news portal, has not only crossed the boundaries of ethical journalism but has also stooped to an all-time low by publishing a completely false news story that connects my family in an attempt to defame, ridicule, and criticize, without adhering to the basic principles of journalism. The news portal that was previously controversial, about the investment of a Maoist leader and some other individuals, including the investment of a deputy secretary, as well as allegations of fraud, has been used by this online platform to serve the interests of the owner by disseminating news produced from a government factory.

‘This incident, aimed at tarnishing our party’s reputation, is a clear manipulation of facts and serves only to divert attention from the real issues. I would like to express my challenge (none of my family members are involved in any such matters.) in order to avoid confusion from such matters, I extend my best wishes to all and urge the party members to stay in line. I would like to inform everyone that legal action will also be pursued today in relation to this matter.”

This is the kind of news that Nepal Khabar had published.

60 kg gold scam: Accused Dawa’s business partners Ishwar Pokharel’s son as well as Badal

(In connection with the gold smuggling case involving the seizure of 60 kilograms and 716 grams of gold, Belgian national Dawa Sherpa, who is of Tibetan origin, has disclosed the names of three business partners.

Regarding the gold smuggling operation of 60 kg and 716 grams, Dawa Sherpa, in a sequential manner of questioning, has revealed that he has been working with prominent Nepali leaders for several years.

Shortly after his arrest, Dawa was interrogated by the Department of Revenue Investigation. After that, the CIB questioned him, and he attempted to reveal the addresses of gold owners as well. He provided a statement to the CIB.

Initially, investigative officers attempted to find connections to gold smuggling networks in Nepal. The operations of the gold smuggling group, which smuggled gold directly from the source, were visible in the footage from CCTV cameras at the hotel where the gold business was operated.

Evidence of connections was found when the Revenue Department analyzed the case files and pressured the police. The names of individuals connected with political party leaders’ families were also disclosed. Dawa claimed that he had worked closely with the sons of two vice-chairpersons of the Nepal Communist Party (UML), Ishor Pokhrel and Rambahadur Thapa for a long time.

Dawa mentioned that he has been working with the senior vice-chairperson of CPN(UML), Ishwar Pokharel’s son, Swaraj Pokharel, and vice-chairperson Ram Bahadur Thapa’s son, Pratik Thapa, in business ventures from the past.

Swaraj Pokharel, Ishwar Pokharel’s son, and Pratik Thapa, Ram Bahadur Thapa’s son, have been involved in various businesses for a long time. Although they didn’t directly admit to being involved, Dawa’s initial statement suggests that they had provided assistance. Pratik Thapa, a fake Bhutanese refugee scam, is the main accused in the fake refugee case. He is currently on the underground.

‘In a restaurant near Radisson Hotel in Kathmandu, we discussed our business with Miss Lee and Swaraj. Even during the COVID-19 period, we bought health supplies from them. Pratik Thapa is quite easy to work with,’ mentioned an official quoting Dawa’s statement.

On July 10, Dawa was arrested during a raid at Hotel vivan in Thamel. During the arrest, he had revealed his partnership with the families of political leaders. However, even though their business partnership was exposed, there is no evidence linking Swaraj and Pratik to the gold smuggling case. The CIB did not investigate them directly in the revenue investigation.

Moreover, Dawa named another person in his statement. He is Kishor Basnet from Ramechhap district. Kishor Basnet stated that he was directly involved in gold smuggling from China, and evidence of his connection has been found in the investigation.

Basnet’s connection with gold smuggling has been traced through an informant. The relationship between Basnet and the gold smuggling group was also discovered by placing 9 kg of gold in a hidden compartment and allowing it to be smuggled through the Kotihawa border point. ‘Kishor Basnet’s contact was visible in the confiscated mobile phone. He was also seen directly involved in smuggling gold,’ said another officer to Nepalkhabar.

Kishor Basnet is currently on the underground. He had shut down his mobile phone, and the research officer confirmed his whereabouts. Kishor has met with other UML leaders’ families and provided information to the investigation officer.

Basnet had used two mobile phones for his activities, both of which have been sent to Nepal Police’s forensic lab. From this, further connections with the smuggling case can be revealed.

Although Chinese national Ziqwang Lin was arrested in connection with the smuggling operation, evidence has been found in Dawa’s mobile phone that he had formatted his mobile phone just after Dawa’s arrest.

Based on the information provided, along with some facts from the Revenue Department, the CIB has intensified the investigation, revealing the details of the ongoing case.) This is the translation of that news.