Gang Exploiting Bhutanese Refugee Crisis Arrested for Fraudulent Resettlement Scheme

Kathmandu, Nepal - Authorities have apprehended a gang suspected of orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that targeted Nepali citizens by falsely promising them resettlement in America as Bhutanese refugees. The gang, which reportedly added 875 names to the official report of the working group led by former joint secretary Balkrishna Panthi, collected substantial sums of money from unsuspecting victims.

 

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Investigations conducted by the Panthi-led task force unveiled a shocking revelation that the names of individuals who had raised funds and applied for the scheme were deliberately omitted from the report. The gang exploited Schedule 9(a), which listed individuals with addresses both inside and outside the refugee camp and who sought third-country resettlement due to exemption from refugee registration for various reasons. These individuals paid amounts ranging from 500,000 to 4,500,000 Nepali rupees to the gang, resulting in their inclusion in the schedule.

 

However, the District Police Complex and the Valley Crime Investigation Office have received complaints from a total of 106 victims. Disturbingly, at least 23 cases of sexual harassment have been reported thus far, according to SSP Dan Bahadur Karki, the head of the District Police Complex in Kathmandu.

 

The police estimate that a sum of 23 million Nepali rupees has been collected so far, and it is anticipated that this figure could rise to around 50 million rupees as the investigation progresses. Initially, it was believed that the gang had amassed at least one billion rupees.

 

Police officials reveal that due to the prolonged publicity surrounding the case, some victims have been discouraged from filing complaints, while others have reportedly received refunds or assurances of reimbursement, thus choosing not to proceed with legal action.

 

SSP Dan Bahadur Karki, head of the District Police Complex in Kathmandu, suggests that former Member of Parliament Angtawa Sherpa, an implicated individual in the case, has made promises to repay funds collected from various individuals in Ramechhap. Allegedly, Sherpa has assured Sanu Bhandari and Keshav Dulal that he will return the money obtained by former Home Minister Balkrishna Khan.

 

An officer involved in the investigation highlights various reasons why many victims have not filed complaints, citing difficulties in pursuing legal action and delays in recovering the funds. It is possible that some victims preferred to negotiate directly with the perpetrators in the hope of quicker restitution.

 

The police have made several arrests in connection with the case, including Sanu Bhandari, Keshav Dulal, Tek Gurung, and Sagar Rai. Subsequently, on 19th Baisakh 2080, Dr. Indrajit Rai, the former security advisor of then Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Badal, was apprehended. Former Home Secretary Teknarayan Pandey, former Home Minister Balkrishna Khan, his personal secretary Narendra KC, former Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamazhi, his son Sandeep, and others have also been arrested.

 

To date, a total of 16 individuals have been taken into custody. The police are currently preparing an investigation report, along with recommendations to file charges against the arrested persons for organized crime, fraud, and other related offenses.