Go for gold-standard probe

Data indicate that India’s annual demand for gold stands at 1,400 tons, whereas imports amount to 900 tons. It is necessary to understand that 400-500 tons of gold is being sourced from Nepal.

Although the Department of Revenue Investigation asserted initially that it has the capability to handle an independent probe into the 100-kg gold smuggling case, the government later decided to involve police. This move has raised legitimate concerns.

A high-level committee can bring all suspects under investigation, whereas CIB may not be able to probe top government officials. So, it will be prudent to consider the CPN-UML’s demand for a high-level panel. Such a panel is necessary if we are to stop Nepal from becoming a smugglers’ haven. 

Furthermore, the detention of our party leader in the wake of his demand for the resignation of the Home Minister and Finance Minister appears to be a retaliatory move.

The author is a senior Nepali Congress leader