DHANGADHI, Oct 10: Hundreds of pilgrims were stranded after they allegedly could not pay Rs 100,000 in bribe to Gadda Chowki checkpoint on Sunday night.
Over 1,200 pilgrims from various places including Kailali, Surkhet, Dang, Banke, Bardiya were returning home after taking part in a two-day holy program organized by Radha Swami Satsang in Rudrapur of India.
They were allowed to pass at 3 am today only after the Chief District Officer of Kanchanpur ordered the Gadda Chowki checkpoint.
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As many as 18 buses with Indian number plates carrying pilgrims were stranded throughout night after they were denied clearance by the custom office last night.
However, Bikash Sah, acting chief of Kanchanpur Custom Office, has dismissed the allegation saying that they had not demanded Rs 100,000.
Sah clarified that the custom barrier is closed after 10 pm while the pilgrims had arrived only after midnight.
According to Kanchanpur CDO Manohar Khanal the vehicles were halted as they reached Gadda Chowki after 10 pm, denying of asking any money in bribe.
He said he would carry out investigation into the case and take action against those if found guilty.
