BAGLUNG, Jan 7: The mayor of Dhorpatan Municipality, Dev Kumar Nepali, accused of swindling the common people out of about Rs 2.25 billion, is yet to be arrested, due to protection from the political and police administration.
Nepali is accused of embezzling Rs 2.25 billion deposited by depositors from Pokhara and Baglung in the Image Savings and Credit Cooperative. Victims have complained that the police are delaying his arrest because of political connections.
As the founder chairman of Image Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, Nepali is accused of embezzling Rs 1.6 billion from around 1,500 people in Baglung and Rs 648.8 million from 524 people in Pokhara. The police initiated a case against 11 individuals, including Nepali, after receiving complaints.
Despite an arrest warrant issued against Nepali for embezzling about Rs 2.25 billion deposited by depositors in Image Savings and Credit Cooperative, the police have allegedly not taken action due to political protection. There are allegations that Nepali colluded with the police, and that their influence stems from Nepali's close ties with top leaders. The UML party has stated that Nepali has been suspended from the party.
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Victims expressed frustration over the police's failure to arrest Nepali, who has been on the run for eight and a half months. Dil Bahadur Karki, the coordinator of the Image Savings and Credit Cooperative Victims' Struggle Committee, stated, “Even after receiving a live notification from Nepali through Facebook, the police did not arrest him, stating that we do not have the evidence of such technology.”
Depositors are outraged, claiming there is no justice in the country. Karki mentioned that his family should receive around Rs 6.5 million from Image Savings and Credit Cooperative, which operated offices in Baglung Bazar, Galkot, Burtibang, and Pokhara.
On April 22, Nepali issued a notice and closed the business of Image Cooperative in Baglung due to financial difficulties. Despite protests from depositors demanding refunds, the police administration neglected to arrest Nepali at that time. The District Police Office Baglung filed a case against Nepali on fraud charges, resulting in the arrest of five individuals, while Nepali remains absconding.
In a Facebook Live session on November 21, Nepali claimed he would sell land to repay depositors. However, victims allege this statement was an attempt to garner sympathy and divert attention.
Despite going live on Facebook, the police have not made any arrests. Yogendra Khadka, Head of District Police Office Baglung, stated that they are coordinating with the central agency to apprehend Nepali. He also mentioned collaboration with the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police to determine the location of Nepali’s Facebook Live.
Nabaraj Adhikari, spokesperson for the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police, mentioned suspicions that Nepali may have left the country. The police are actively searching, and there are accusations that Nepali is being protected by both the police and politicians.
Nepali's lawyers have communicated that he intends to sell his land to return money to the depositors. Karki, the coordinator of the struggle committee, mentioned that attempts to settle the case through mutual understanding faced legal complications.
Victims are hopeful about reactivating the closed Image Savings and Credit Cooperative Baglung. Preparations are underway to convene a meeting of shareholders in consultation with the office of the cooperative registrar, Gandaki Province. In the absence of Mayor Nepali, Deputy Mayor Dhan Bahadur Kayat has assumed responsibility for the municipality's operations.
