KATHMANDU, Feb 8: Police have arrested three individuals in connection with a burglary at the rented residence of senior leader of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Balendra Shah (Balen) a few days ago in Chappal Karkhana, Ward 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.
The suspects include 42-year-old Manish Rajbahak of Balaju Heights, 46-year-old Khim Bahadur Khadka of Sindhupalchok, and 45-year-old Sanjay Shrestha of Doti.
Officials at the District Police Range Kathmandu informed Republica that Rajbhahak, the mastermind behind the theft, has confessed to breaking into Shah’s residence.
Investigators revealed that Rajbahak had escaped from the Nakkhu Prison on Sept 9 during the Gen Z protests. His escape followed the release of RSP Chair Ravi Lamichhane by party supporters, which led to several prisoners fleeing custody.
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Rajbahak had been serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for theft cases. Following his escape, he reportedly committed burglaries at five other locations in Kathmandu.
According to the police, Rajbahak stayed at Hotel Classic & Lodge in Kathmandu-26 and worked as a painter. During the night, he stole items from under-construction homes and other houses, including taps, pipes, silver cups, bowls, lamps, and plates.
Police also recovered a Worldlink router, two CCTV cameras, a small wrench, a piece of sandpaper, a screw, and a black jacket from his hotel room.
Khim Bahadur Khadka, a sand depot operator, reportedly assisted Rajbahak by selling stolen goods. Sanjay Shrestha, who was previously acquainted with Rajbahak during their time at Ramechhap Prison, received Rs 8,000 in exchange for two laptops stolen from Shah’s residence.
Additional items recovered during police searches included laptops, a MacBook, and assorted jewellery from locations in Kathmandu and Dhading.
Police said that Rajbahak was the principal actor in the theft at Shah’s home, while Khadka and Shrestha played supporting roles. Police said that the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation into the series of thefts carried out by Rajbahak since his escape from the Nakkhu Prison.
The investigation also aims to track any other accomplices who may have been involved in distributing stolen items.
Authorities have urged citizens to report suspicious activities and assured the public that stringent measures are being taken to prevent similar crimes.
