Nepal's Former Speaker Charged with Gold Smuggling
Nepal's political landscape has been impacted by the arrest and formal charges against former Speaker of Parliament Krishna Bahadur Mahara, accused of gold smuggling and organized crime.
The case is the first major corruption prosecution under Nepal's newly-installed interim government, which promises reform amidst nationwide upheaval.
Mahara, a 66-year-old veteran politician, was formally charged on October 13 for alleged involvement in smuggling gold worth over 85 million Nepali rupees (around $600,000) into the country.
The charges represent a significant moment in the interim administration's effort to restore public faith in governance.
The interim government targets corruption, with this case marking a major step in their efforts.
Author's summary: Nepal's former speaker faces gold smuggling charges.