DoMLI releases 10 alleged gamblers on bail

Kathmandu, November 18

Of the 25 high-profile alleged gamblers, 10 have been released on bail by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation after recording their statements.

Police, on October 27, had arrested 25 persons and confiscated Rs 26.7 million in cash and a cheque worth Rs 300,000 from the gambling den, which was operated in a private house at Maharajgunj, Kathmandu.

After police had completed its investigation, the DoMLI had then started investigating the legitimacy of the assets and money of 25 persons.

Rup Narayan Bhattarai, director general of DoMLI said, “We have recorded statements of ten accused and released them on bail taking into account their financial status.” Of the 10 released, Bhattarai said four were drivers and helpers and other six were high-profile persons. The high-profile accused posted bail of two million rupees each, according to Bhattarai.

Period of the alleged gamblers’ legal detention had expired on November 12. But on the same day, the Special Court had extended their police custody by 20 days, after the case was taken by the DoMLI.

The DoMLI had taken over the case suspecting that the arrestees might have amassed a huge sum of money and property through illegal means.