An investigation launched by police after a body was found 10 days ago in Nagarjun Municipality-3 has revealed that it was a murder and that the crime was committed in relation to a gold smuggling case.

The Metropolitan Police Crime Division had found the body of Gagan Lama, a resident of Parwatikunda Municipality in Rasuwa district, on October 2. He was attacked with a knife on his back. Police said the murder is connected to an 18kg gold smuggling case. The precious yellow metal was smuggled into Kathmandu through the Rasuwa-Kerung border point.

In June, two Chinese men were tasked with bringing the 18kg gold to Kathmandu for Lakpa Gyalzen Tamang, a resident of Rasuwa Gosaikunda Rural Municipality. Gyalzen further delegated the job to three people—Chiring Tamang, Pasang Tamang and Gagan Lama. 

When the trio was bringing the gold to Kathmandu, Lama suddenly went out of contact, according to police. 

Lama, later, handed over only 10kg gold to the intended recipient in Kathmandu, saying that he was attacked and robbed of remaining 8kg gold, the police investigation revealed.

The gold owner and other persons involved in the smuggling were said to have been keeping an eye on Gagan’s activities. According to police, he later had returned 2kg gold but could not produce the remaining 6kg gold. He was eventually killed by his fellow gang member, police said.