KATHMANDU, July 29: The High-Level Investigation Committee tasked with identifying problematic cooperatives has urged the government to repatriate 18 individuals who fled the country after misappropriating cooperative funds.

In a meeting held on Monday, the committee directed GB Rai, accused of embezzling funds from Sahara, Suryadarshan, and other cooperatives, to return to Nepal immediately. The committee has also called for the return of Gyan Bahadur Bamjan, Than Bahadur Rai, Bhupendra Rai, Taswiran Khatun, Ashraf Ali, and Subas KC, who are linked to Suryadarshan, Sanopaila, Sahara, and Supreme cooperatives.

Additionally, Bharat Maharjan, his wife Mazmaya, their son Sachin, and daughter Sarla, involved in the embezzlement of Sumeru Cooperative’s funds, have been asked to return to Nepal. Tej Bahadur Bamjan Tamang of Shiva Shikhar, Dev Kumar Nepali (Chairman of Image Savings and Credit Cooperative) and his wife Cheda, manager Deepak Poudel, Leelanath Gautam of Shiva Shikhar Cooperative, Premdhwaj Lama of Kantipur Saving, and Mahashankar Regmi of Meghadrim have also been instructed to return and come under the committee’s investigation.

“Since we do not have exact information on individuals residing in the USA, the UK, Malaysia, and India, we have requested the Honorable Home Minister to locate them, bring them back to Nepal, and make them face investigation,” said Committee Chairman Surya Thapa. “We can only reach a conclusive outcome once they are part of the investigation.”

The committee has also decided to question 24 individuals currently in custody or police detention concerning the cooperative issue. Chairman Thapa said that the list has been forwarded to the Home Minister. “We will summon those who are outside the country for questioning. We have requested the Home Minister and Secretary to arrange the necessary personnel and time for questioning those in prison,” Thapa added.