Bangladesh, Oct. 14 -- Nepals political landscape has been jolted by the dramatic arrest and formal charges against former Speaker of Parliament Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who now stands accused of gold smuggling and organized crime. The case marks the first major corruption prosecution under Nepals newly-installed interim government, which took office amid nationwide upheaval and promises of reform.

The 66-year-old veteran politician, once a prominent figure in the ruling Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center), was formally charged on October 13 for his alleged involvement in smuggling gold worth over 85 million Nepali rupees-equivalent to around $600,000-into the country. The charges, confirmed in court documents seen by the Organized C...