Case Filed Against Vaping Smugglers

The Revenue Investigation Office, Butwal, under the Department of Revenue Investigation, has filed a case against four individuals at the High Court Tulsipur, Butwal Bench, for illegally trading electronic cigarettes (vapes) and evading taxes.

Following an investigation into tax evasion, the Butwal Revenue Office filed the case against four individuals, including Suman Parajuli, the proprietor of Diamond International in Kathmandu.

According to Vivek Ghimire, chief of the Revenue Investigation Office, Butwal, the investigation revealed that Diamond International’s bills were used to sell vapes to Tashnim General Store in Nepalgunj, Banke. A total of 100 bills were issued for 2,600 vapes, which were transported to Nepalgunj via Bheri Transport Services and subsequently smuggled to India at higher prices.

The firms involved in the purchase and sale have been named as the main defendants in the case. Suman Parajuli and Hasimun Jolaha of Tashnim General Store have been accused of violating Section 3 of the Revenue Leakage (Investigation and Control) Act, 1995. As per Section 4 (b), (ch), and (jh) of the same act, the prosecution has demanded the confiscation of goods worth NPR 62,71,676 and an equivalent fine for each of the two defendants, along with the maximum imprisonment as per Section 23 (1) (a).

Additionally, Rozan Nyaupane from Diamond International and Sanaulla Ansari from Tashnim General Store have been charged as accomplices in smuggling and misuse of invoices. They are accused of facilitating tax evasion and transportation of goods, playing a key role in the illegal trade. As per Section 23 (3) of the Revenue Leakage (Investigation and Control) Act, 1995, they face half the punishment of the main defendants, along with a fine of NPR 31,35,838 each.

Despite multiple attempts to contact the main defendants, Parajuli and Jolaha, they remain absconding. Meanwhile, the accomplices have been in custody for about 90 days for investigation.

Illegal trade, smuggling, and transportation of vapes have been increasing in recent years. As part of the ongoing crackdown, the Department of Revenue Investigation has seized over 100,000 vapes from various locations and taken legal action.