It has been learnt that besides the report, Nepal police will make public two members of the criminal gang that kidnapped Dr Shrestha on May 18 from Bharatpur. They were arrested a few days ago. The gang leader, however, is still at large. [break]
High level police sources said the report mentions that Dr Shrestha was kidnapped by a criminal gang that had conducted over half-a-dozen kidnappings in the past. The leader, whose name police says would be made public through the report, was arrested in the on a kidnapping charge a few years ago but later released by the court.
The police report is known to have claimed that the gang kidnapped Dr Shrestha for ransom. Though Dr Shrestha had initially claimed after his release that no ransom was demanded, it was later revealed that his family had paid 4 kg gold worth Rs 12 million for his release.
Following his release at Majhimtar in Dhading district, Dr Shrestha had claimed that he was abducted by a little known group named Nepal Hindu Rastra Party and treated well during captivity. However, the name of the gang now identified by the police is yet to be known.
Sources said that the police also seized a motorcycle in the capital that was reportedly used to move the hostage during captivity.
Investigators had narrowed down eight persons as major suspects, two of whom were the ones that fell in the police net, sources said. Some of the suspects were also known to have political connections.
Related story
2 ‘kidnappers’ shot dead in Bhaktapur police encounter
