The Patan High Court has affirmed the decision of the Kathmandu District Court to keep Rahul Mahara, son of Krishna Bahadur Mahara, in custody pending trial.

A joint bench of judges, Anju Upreti Dhakal and Dipendra Adhikari, upheld the district court’s order, continuing Rahul’s detention related to the gold smuggling case.

Rahul was arrested for allegedly smuggling nine kilograms of gold concealed in e-cigarettes (vapes), criminal breach of trust and organized crime.

The CIB’s investigation found him in regular contact with a Chinese national allegedly smuggling gold.

The District Court in Kathmandu had previously denied his release on bail, directing him to remain in custody pending further investigation.

Despite his appeal to the High Court against the district court’s ruling, Rahul Mahara’s plea was unsuccessful.