Kathmandu, October 8
Police have launched a money laundering investigation against Inam Sapkota, a controversial figure whose connections have been traced to suspended Armed Police Force AIG Banshiraj Dahal and former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana.
Sapkota, who is currently in the custody of the Kathmandu District Police Range, has been remanded for investigation into an alleged money laundering offence, according to police sources.
The Kathmandu District Court had granted police a one-day remand for investigation on Wednesday. After the remand expired, police took Sapkota to the court again on Thursday seeking an extension.
“We have taken him to court for an extension of the remand. It remains to be decided how many more days will be granted,” a source said.
Sapkota was arrested by a Special Bureau team at Tribhuvan International Airport while he was preparing to travel to Delhi. After keeping him in custody for a day for investigation, the bureau handed him over to the Kathmandu District Police Range.
Police sources say further investigation into Sapkota uncovered his links with AIG Dahal. Dahal was subsequently suspended and an investigation launched over his alleged connections with Sapkota, including allegations that he met a person under police custody without informing others.
Police had earlier detained former chief justice Rana after receiving information about alleged attempts to influence proceedings in court cases. A Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office team arrested Rana from his residence late at night and released him after questioning him for around 12 hours. Police also took control of his mobile phone during the detention.
The investigation subsequently brought Sapkota into focus, with police alleging that he had acted as an intermediary to facilitate arrangements.
According to sources, investigators found potentially sensitive information on Sapkota’s mobile phone. Police are also investigating alleged exchanges of information between Sapkota and Dahal, including claims concerning the activities of Prime Minister Balendra Shah and financial transactions.
Sources say the investigation was taken seriously after investigators allegedly found conversations involving specific amounts of money and other financial details.
Rana had come under scrutiny after authorities received information about alleged unusual meetings and attempts to influence cases pending before the courts. Police had also received information about alleged attempts to intervene in cases involving businessmen Deepak Bhatta and Sulav Agrawal, who are in custody in cases related to money laundering, insurance, securities and banking offences.
Meanwhile, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation on Wednesday raided the residences of Rana, his relatives and close associates and seized documents as part of its investigation.
