Three Arrested for Taking Bribe to Release Chinese Nationals

Nine Chinese nationals, who were in the custody of the Immigration Department in Kalikasthan, were to be released after a bribe was paid. However, the three individuals involved in the bribery, including a former SSP of the Armed Police Force and a comedian, were arrested.

The arrested individuals include 59-year-old Gopal Kumar Gurung, a former SSP of the Armed Police Force from Nawalparasi West Sunwal Municipality-7, 52-year-old Narad Prasad Khadka, a comedian from Sarlahi Lalbandi Municipality-5, and 38-year-old Vikram Bahadur Thapa from Udayapur Katari Municipality-8 Sirise.

The three were arrested by a team from the Valley Crime Investigation Office. Thapa was arrested from Kalikasthan, Gurung from Jawalakhel, and Khadka from Anamnagar in Kathmandu.

Bribery and Release of Chinese Nationals

According to the police, the three had taken a bribe of Rs 7.2 million to release the Chinese nationals. However, only Rs 900,000 had been paid so far, with the remaining amount to be paid after the release of the Chinese nationals.

The Immigration Department had raided a hostel in Dhobighat, Lalitpur, where 27 Chinese nationals were found to be staying. The department had suspected that they were involved in cryptocurrency trading. Some of the Chinese nationals had tourist visas, while others had business visas.

Although they had valid visas, the department had increased surveillance on the group, which led to the discovery of their connection to a building in Chobhar. The building, which had a signboard reading ‘Treasures Nepal’, was found to be operating without registration.

The police had raided the building on June 30 and arrested nine Chinese nationals. They were found to be selling Ayurvedic medicine, but the police suspect that they might have been selling other items under the guise of medicine.

The Chinese nationals had been selling the items at a price of around Rs 12,000 to Rs 20,000. They had also chartered a Himalayan Airlines plane to come to Nepal.

The Immigration Department had been investigating the Chinese nationals, who had filed a writ of habeas corpus in court. The court had ordered the release of three of the Chinese nationals.