Kathmandu: Police has arrested Ram Chandra Aryal, a sixth-level officer at the Bagmati Provincial Assembly Secretariat in Hetauda-10, for granting Nepali citizenship to two Chinese nationals engaged in gold smuggling.
Aryal, formerly stationed at the Transport Management Office, Thulo Bharyang, Kathmandu, was apprehended at the Provincial Assembly Secretariat on Wednesday following a request from Kavre Police, as confirmed by Makwanpur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Laxmi Bhandari. The arrest is linked to Aryal’s alleged involvement in facilitating citizenship for foreigners connected to gold smuggling during his tenure at the Kavre District Administration Office.
Police investigations revealed that Aryal, then a non-gazetted first-class officer, played a role in granting citizenship to the gold smugglers on the basis of descent. The incident dates back to January 4, 2018, when Aryal, as per the investigation, entered citizenship details for Dawa Tsering and Dawajin Wang into the computer system. Aryal served at the District Administration Office, Kavrepalanchowk, until 2075 BS.
Further probes indicate Aryal, alongside Jhapendraraj Kharel, was assigned by the Kavre administration to issue new citizenships and passports to foreign nationals. The investigation committee from the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended action against Kharel and Aryal, confirming that two Chinese nationals had been issued Nepali citizenship certificates.