Nepal, June 24 -- Amala Roka, a key suspect in the 61-kg gold smuggling case, has been released, raising concerns that individuals with political connections continue to evade accountability.

Roka, who was arrested in connection to the high-profile smuggling case, was granted release by both the court and the police. The Kathmandu District Court ordered her release on a bail of Rs 200,000. Shortly after, she was also released by the police's Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) under general court attendance despite an ongoing probe under money laundering charges.

The release follows a broader trend where politically connected figures, including Maoist leaders such as Krishna Bahadur Mahara, have avoided serious legal consequences in the ...