Man convicted on six counts nabbed after 14 years

The law enforcement agency has stepped up crackdown on convicts, who were either sentenced to jail or fined or both but have been absconding

Kathmandu, January 28

The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police today arrested a man, who had been absconding after being convicted of multiple charges from Pinglasthan, Kathmandu.

The Kathmandu District Court had sentenced Kapil Prasad Pokharel (59) of Birtnagar, Morang, currently residing in Kathmandu, to two years in prison, along with a fine of approximately Rs 26.2 million collectively, on four counts of foreign exchange crime and two counts of forgery of government seal and signature on July 5, 2002 in absentia.

The court verdict was issued at a time when he was released on bail. The Ministry of Finance was a plaintiff in these cases.

According to CIB, Pokharel, who was the proprietor of Naikap-based Shree Ram Feed Industries registered with the Office of Cottage and Small Industries, Kathmandu, opened a Letter of Credit in US dollars from Himalayan Bank Ltd and Rastriya Banijya Bank branch offices at Bishal Bazaar and Bhotahiti for the import of industrial raw materials and computer parts from Hong Kong, but never did what he was required to do as per the agreement with the bank. Instead, he embezzled the money and did not repay the banks.

SP Dibesh Lohani said Pokharel forged government seal and signature to produce fake purchase and import invoices to show the import of industrial raw materials and computer parts. Pokharel was awarded a prison term of two years for forgery and a fine of approximately Rs 26.2 million for foreign exchange crimes.

The law enforcement agency has stepped up crackdown on convicts, who were either sentenced to jail or fined or both but have been absconding.

Most convicts who are under surveillance of police are forgers, banking offenders, frauds, human and drug traffickers, murderers, rapists and kidnappers, among others. According to the CIB, the operation was aimed at tracking down the fugitives who have been contributing to the culture of impunity in the country.