Kathmandu: The Revenue Investigation Department (RID) of Nepal has made significant headway in a major gold smuggling case, with controversial businessman Rakesh Kumar Adukiya at the center of the investigation.

Authorities have recovered approximately 100 kg of gold from airport customs, drawing scrutiny to 'Three' Traders operating within the notorious 'red zone' of smuggling. While the traders remain at large, one of them is identified as Rakesh Kumar Adukiya, while the identities of the other two are yet to be disclosed. Sources suggest that the other two are closely connected to Adukiya in their business dealings and are currently under investigation.

The focus of the investigation lies squarely on Adukiya, a businessman known for his involvement in trading silver and stock market activities, with an office based in Hong Kong. According to reliable sources, Adukiya has allegedly been engaging in illegal gold smuggling through this Hong Kong office for the past 15 years.

The evidence of his involvement surfaced when gold was discovered concealed in goods arriving from Hong Kong, misleadingly labeled as "Break Shoe" and shipped via Cathay Pacific. Subsequent raids at Adukiya's residence in Kamalpokhari yielded some documents, but he was nowhere to be found as he had already fled.

Initially, the RID planned to handle the case independently, leading to doubts and calls from the Ministry of Home Affairs for broader involvement. Eventually, the police were brought in to assist, and SP Krishna Pangeni was assigned to lead the investigation.

Shockingly, it was revealed that Adukiya had been conducting financial activities abroad, allegedly transferring money out of Nepal through offshore bank accounts. His name had previously emerged in the Panama Papers, a publication by the International Association of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), connecting him to a Hong Kong-based company seven years ago.

Investigations indicate that Adukiya had been blending gold with silver shipments from Hong Kong for the past 15 years. By declaring only silver, he managed to evade detection and paid customs duties accordingly in Nepal.

During the course of the gold scandal investigation, Adukiya's son, Rohan Adukiya, fled to New Delhi, India, on a Nepal Airlines Corporation plane, raising further suspicions. Rumors also circulated that Rakesh Adukiya himself followed suit and arrived in Delhi.

Tracing Adukiya's recent travel history, it was found that he flew from Kathmandu to New Delhi on Nepal Airlines Corporation flight number RA 217 on April 13th. He then traveled to Hong Kong and returned to Kathmandu on Thai Smile flight number W0319 via Bangkok on April 19th. Subsequently, on June 26th, he journeyed to Hong Kong again, this time via New Delhi on Nepal Airlines Corporation flight number RA 0217. After a 12-day stay in Hong Kong, he returned to Kathmandu on July 5th, this time via a Fly Dubai flight from Hong Kong to Dubai.

Despite the mounting evidence against Adukiya, the RID is diligently gathering further proof against the two traders connected to Adukiya's import and export business. Their involvement in the smuggling operation remains under investigation.

As the investigation unfolds, the nation awaits the potential arrest and legal consequences that may await Rakesh Kumar Adukiya and the traders implicated in this high-profile gold smuggling case.

If convicted, Adukiya and the two other traders could face up to seven years in prison.They could also be fined a significant amount of money.The government could also seize their assets.

The public reaction to the gold smuggling scandal has been mixed. Some people are outraged by the allegations, while others are skeptical of the government's ability to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The scandal has also raised questions about the country's porous borders and the effectiveness of its customs enforcement.

It remains to be seen how the investigation will unfold and what the ultimate consequences will be for Adukiya and the other traders involved.