The government has given a one-month extension to the probe team formed to investigate the 33 kg gold smuggling case.

A Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to extend the tenure of the committee under Joint-secretary at the Home Ministry Ishwor Poudel until July 16. This is the second extension of the committee’s deadline after the previous one ended on June 14.

The Poudel-led investigation team had swung into action on April 3 for a 45-day period. As the gold smuggling case became more complicated after the arrest of Chudamani Upreti aka Gore, with the emergence of new facts, the team’s tenure had been extended to June 14.

Although the investigation into the smuggling case is being led by the Morang District Police, the Poudel-led committee has proved to be a major help for the case. The investigation into the murder of Sanam Shakya, who used to work as gold carrier for Gore, exposed the gold smuggling through the Tribhuvan International Airport for a long time.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Nishan Thapa, the investigating officer of the case, said the Poudel-led committee in Kathmandu had been a major aid for them since the murder of Shakya occurred near Morang whereas the smuggling had happened in the Capital.

“It would have been difficult for us as we would have to travel to Kathmandu frequently for investigation. Besides, it could hamper our investigation into the murder case,” said DSP Thapa. “The decision to form a separate probe team has made the investigation into the gold smuggling case easier. Their investigation in the Capital has been helpful to the overall case.”

The probe committee successfully led to the arrest of Gore, the mastermind behind the smuggling of 3999.6kg gold over the last three years.