Kathmandu, Oct. 15 -- The Kathmandu District Court on Wednesday ordered former speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara to be remanded in judicial custody for trial in connection with a high-profile gold smuggling case.

The decision followed a two-day custody hearing after the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested Mahara on Sunday. He faces charges under the Organised Crime Act and the Customs Act, with prosecutors demanding the maximum prison sentence and the recovery of Rs85.5 million allegedly gained through illicit means.

Deepak Shrestha, information officer at the court, said that Mahara will remain in detention until the completion of the trial. "After reviewing the hearing and evidence presented, the court has decided...