KATHMANDU, Oct 22: A case has been filed against three individuals, including two police officers, for allegedly extorting around Rs 5 million from a cryptocurrency trader.
Assistant Constable Ganesh Khadka and Sajan Sharma Chhapai from the Cyber Bureau of the District Police Office in Kathmandu, along with Tej Bahadur Tamang, 35, from Khotang, have been charged with fraud and criminal breach of trust. Among those charged, Tamang is currently at large.
The case was filed in the Kathmandu District Court, and a hearing has begun in the courtroom of Judge Mahendra Bahadur Karki. After the bail hearing, an order will be issued regarding whether the accused will be released on bail or remanded into custody until the next hearing.
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It was revealed that a young man, Ashish Acharya, was arrested on August 31 for allegedly conducting cryptocurrency transactions with the three individuals. He was held for two days and then released after they extorted Rs 4.91 million from him. No charges were filed against Acharya after the payment.
According to the police, Tej Tamang had provided Constable Khadka with confidential information about the cryptocurrency trader. Following this tip, Khadka arrested Acharya and brought him to the police station. Tamang then contacted Acharya’s relatives, demanding Rs 5 million for his release, which the family agreed to pay.
Further police investigation revealed that Acharya’s sister, Asmita, paid Rs 4.91 million, after which Acharya was released on September 2. Following his release, Acharya flew to Canada. His sister later informed the authorities about the extortion, leading to the case's exposure.
Acharya and Tamang, who were both friends and living together in Canada, had come to Kathmandu together. Tamang, aware of Acharya’s cryptocurrency activities, provided the tip-off to the police. Although cryptocurrency is illegal in Nepal, Tamang was not charged, as his involvement was limited to informing the police, and he had no direct ties to illegal activities in Nepal.
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