August 16: Biratnagar High Court has ordered the concerned bodies not to open the seal placed by the Indian customs on the truck carrying betel nuts that was impounded by the police on suspicion of carrying illegal goods and handed over to the Revenue Investigation Office, Itahari.  The court has also ordered to bring both parties together for discussion on Tuesday (today).

The Indian customs had checked and sealed the betel nuts carrying vehicle which being to India using the route of Nepal but was arrested by the police and handed over to the revenue investigation office.

The high court issued the order in response to a case filed by Navin Ghimire, the owner of exporter company Mankamana Traders.

Morang police seized the betel nuts on July 20 and handed it over to the Revenue Investigation Office, Itahari July 23.  Ghimire, the exporter, filed a writ in the High Court last Thursday, against the District Police Office Morang, Customs Department, Customs Office Biratnagar and Revenue Investigation Office Itahari.

A single bench of High Court Judge Milan Kumar Rai issued the order which says, “Considering that an interim order has also been requested in this matter, as it seems appropriate to reach a proper conclusion by bringing together both parties for discussion on 2079/04/31.

The bench also ordered not to remove the seals issued by the Jogbani Customs Office, India on the eight trucks until another decision.

Senior advocate Ramesh Koirala and another advocate Dilliram Ghimire had argued on behalf of Manakamana Traders.  Director General of Revenue Investigation Department Jhalakram Adhikari is saying that he and his office cannot open the seals imposed by Indian Customs.  The betel nut destined for export has been on the premises of Revenue Research Office Itahari since July 23.