KATHMANDU: Amala Roka, arrested in connection with the 61-kilogram gold smuggling case, appeared before Judge Balram Lamsal at Kathmandu District Court today.

After recording her statement, the court is set to hold a bail hearing and decide whether to release her on bail or send her to jail pending trial.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested Roka last Friday in Tokha, Kathmandu. An Interpol Red Notice had been issued for her prior to the arrest.

She is the wife of Belgian national Dawa Chiring, also implicated in the gold scandal. A hotel in Thamel, Hotel Vienna, is registered under her name.

The Revenue Investigation Department seized the 61 kg of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport on 2 Shrawan 2080 BS (July 18, 2023) after customs clearance. The file was later handed over to the CIB for further investigation.