Police officials at the Metropolitan Police Range Office (MPRO), Kathmandu, said Dhamala, along with Ram Shubhak Mahato (also known as Pradeep), Manoj Mahato (also known as Binayak), and Birendra Kumar Mahato, will be tried in the Kathmandu District Administration Office on charges of arms and ammunition. Similarly, he will be tried in the in Kathmandu District Court for extortion and attempted murder charges (corrected). [break]
"We have already documented all documents possible to establish the case," said Superintendent of Police Nawa Raj Silwal, chief of MPRO, Kathmandu. "We will file cases against all four in court via the District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday."
Dhamala, who is president of the Reporters´ Club, Nepal, was arrested on February 4 over alleged links with little-known armed outfit Ranabir Sena. The group admitted responsibility for three separate bomb blasts in Kathmandu, besides extorting heavy amounts from businessmen based in Kathmandu and other parts of the country.
Police sources said they are preparing to file the cases in the court as they have now collected the necessary evidence from the homes and local police units of the three other arrested.
The police sent a special team to the Siraha district to gather evidence relating to suspected links with the armed group as two of the arrested, Ram Shubhak Mahato and Manoj Mahato, hail from the district. The special team has reportedly collected evidence from local police units and the homes of the accused.
According to police, Ram Shubhak Mahato was serving as Kathmandu Valley’s in-charge of the armed outfit, while Manoj Mahato claimed to be its military commander in Kathmandu.
The police arrested Birendra Kumar Mahato and Dhamala as they were found to be directly involved in assisting Ranabir Sena men in their activities in the capital. Dhamala had allegedly assured them of their security while operating in Kathmandu, taking a percentage of the extorted money in return.
Sources said police have also acquired details of Dhamala’s telephone conversations with the Ranabir Sena chief, who is currently based in India. Police claim there were frequent calls made between the two over the past several months. The call details will help establish Dhamala’s nexus with the armed group and its criminal activities, said the source.
Police had earlier received a 23-day remand in three separate times from the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, for investigation. The latest three-day remand is expiring on Tuesday.
Senior police officials at Police Headquarters, the Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu and Metropolitan Crime Division, Hanumandhoka, had worked together to proceed with Dhamala’s case after alleged pressure from various quarters to have him released.
koshraj@myrepublica.com
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