Embassy yet to confirm incident

Crime: A Bhutanese man, allegedly found with 17 kilogrammes of gold worth Nu 44.2 million, tied around his waist, was arrested by Indian revenue officials in New Delhi, on June 20, according to an Indian media report.

The man, identified as a Kinley Dorje, 48, was arrested by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials on his arrival at the New Delhi railway station, the report said.

He had travelled to New Delhi from the New Jalpaiguri railway station. According to the news report, DRI officials had been following him the entire trip.

The man had claimed during interrogation that he was given the gold by a Chinese national. No information was provided on where he received the gold or who the recipient was.

It was also pointed out in the news report that the man had already been presented before a court and was sent to judicial remand until July 4.

Officials of the Royal Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi said they had just received information about the man, last evening. The embassy is currently verifying the details.

“We can provide details only after one or two days,” an embassy official said.

Gold seizures are a common affair in India given high demand for the metal there. For instance, more than 50 airline passengers were detained at one of India’s airports on the night of June 21 attempting to smuggle in over 40 kilogrammes of gold.

Nine Indian citizens were also arrested in Bhutan, last year, after they attempted to smuggle in gold from Thailand, destined for the Indian market.

No reports of gold smuggling have been reported this year.

By Gyalsten K Dorji and Rinzin Wangchuk