Kathmandu, November 4
Police have expanded their investigation into the citizenship of Tenzin Dawa Lama, a member of the TOB (Tibetan Original Blood) group, identifying and questioning the man listed as his father in the citizenship certificate.
According to police, Tenzin’s citizenship mentioned his father’s name as Krishna Bahadur Lama. After verifying his identity, police brought Krishna Bahadur to the Lalitpur District Police Office on Sunday. Despite being presented together, both men claimed they did not know each other.
Tenzin did not recognize Krishna Bahadur as his father, and Krishna Bahadur also denied knowing Tenzin, the person listed as his son on official documents.
This revelation has cast further doubt over Tenzin’s citizenship, with police suspecting that a fake father might have been used to obtain it through fraudulent means.
Police say the investigation has been hindered because documents submitted for the citizenship process were destroyed when the District Administration Office was set on fire during the GenZ movement.
Krishna Bahadur, whose name appears on the document, has claimed no knowledge of helping anyone obtain citizenship using his name. A police source confirmed that he denied any involvement in the process.
Following these developments, police have launched an investigation against Tenzin on charges of forgery. “Since some official documents appear to have been falsified, we have initiated a case under forgery,” said Lalitpur Police spokesperson SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai.
Authorities are also investigating him under offenses related to falsified documentation.
According to records presented by Tenzin, his birth certificate issued from Kathmandu Metropolitan City-6 was dated March 23, 2007 (2063 BS Chaitra 10), and his citizenship was issued in June 2022 (BS 2079 Asar). However, when cross-checked with the ward office records, these documents could not be found.
Ward Chairperson of Kathmandu-6, Bhuwan Lama, confirmed that Tenzin’s submitted documents were not present in the ward’s official register.
Tenzin was first arrested on October 12 on a charge of public offense. The investigation has now expanded to include forgery and drug-related charges. Police say marijuana was found during a search of his room, and he is now being investigated under narcotics law, which allows detention for up to 90 days.
Police began tracing the TOB group after social media videos went viral showing individuals wearing jackets labeled “TOB” and carrying pistols during the GenZ protests on September 8–9. The group was suspected of infiltrating the demonstrations.
Tenzin later turned himself in. Investigations revealed that the viral video of him carrying a pistol was not from the GenZ protest. However, police seized a fake pistol and a communication device (walkie-talkie) from him.
Authorities allege that Tenzin’s group, riding Bullet motorcycles and wearing black jackets marked “TOB” or “Tibetan Original Blood,” played a provocative role in intensifying the GenZ movement. Police claim the recovered evidence supports this allegation.
Tenzin, however, insists that TOB is merely a motorcycle riding group. He said their main purpose during protests was to ride and rev motorcycles.
A tattoo artist by profession, Tenzin had previously rented a room in Boudha, where he operated a tattoo studio, which he later closed due to lack of business. His body is covered with tattoos, which he says were done while learning and practicing tattooing.
He describes himself as unmarried and of Tibetan descent, saying that his association with Tibetan-origin residents in the Boudha area influenced him to wear jackets bearing the words “Tibetan Blood.”
TOB Group’s involvement in Durga Prasai’s protest
Police investigations have revealed that the TOB group was also mobilized during businessperson Durga Prasai’s protest in Tinkune, Kathmandu, on March 28.
According to investigators, Tenzin admitted this during questioning. Police say the group would join such events on motorcycles after being given fuel money and small allowances. However, it has not been confirmed whether Tenzin personally received money from Prasai’s team.
Police believe that while the group members are not Tibetan agents, they are sympathetic to Tibetan causes.
Most members of the motorcycle-riding group own Bullet bikes, and Tenzin is identified as its key figure. The group claims that since police often stop them for making loud exhaust sounds, they chose to do it during protests instead.
Unlicensed radio set found
When arrested, police also recovered a radio communication device (walkie-talkie) from Tenzin. Such devices require a license to use, but investigations found that Tenzin’s group did not obtain one.
SP Bhattarai confirmed that Tenzin has not been able to produce a valid license for the device.
Under Nepal’s Radio Communication (License) Regulations, 1992, a license must be obtained through the Chief District Officer’s recommendation and renewed annually. Police say no such authorization was found for the device seized from Tenzin.
