Kathmandu District Court on Tuesday ordered the authorities to keep Narayan Poudel in detention for his involvement in misusing foreign currency, until the case is finalized. Judge Balendra Rupakheti has permitted the authorities to keep Poudel in detention until a verdict is handed down in a case concerning capital flight. 

The Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) last week filed cases against proprietor of New Dahal Business Enterprises Padam Bahadur Rawat and his associate Poudel on charges of misusing foreign currency.

The district court single bench said in its order that it decided to send Poudel into detention in view of the seriousness of the case. DRI has demanded fines of up to Rs 7.45 billion, or three times the amount involved (Rs 2.48 billion), and three years imprisonment against the accused. The DRI investigation disclosed that New Dahal Business Enterprises was engaged in misusing US$ 33.46 million on the pretext of importing various goods from Tibet.

The investigation concluded that Rawat and Poudel were involved in submitting fake documents including customs declaration forms, credit receipts and custom receipts, with the intention of misusing foreign currency meant for financing imports from Tibet.