KATHMANDU: A special squad deployed by Nepal Police Headquarters on Wednesday night rounded up six racketeers, along with more than 1,000 counterfeit official stamp pads of the government and non-government agencies for their involvement is forging documentation work. The forgery racket was busted in Mahadevsthan of Koteshwor, acting on an intelligence tip-off.

Those arrested are Dinesh Aryal of Sindhupalchwok, Ramji Ghimire of Kaski, Prem Raj Shrestha of Lamjung, Ram Poudel of Jhapa, Surya Bahadur Basnet of Khotang and Chhabi Raman Bhattarai of Morang. An official engaged in the operation said, “They were arrested from the rented room of the key accused — Dinesh. We also suspect their involvement in extortion.”

Two desktop computers, two printers, a huge cache of fake letter pads and stamp pad of government offices and banks, driving licences, certificates of universities, chemicals, citizenship certificates and counterfeit ID cards of UCPN-Maoist were recovered from them.

Dinesh is said to be the kingpin of the forgery racket. He used to mobilise others to find clients promising them handsome money.

They have been referred to Metropolitan Police Range, Hanumandhoka.

MPR has filed a forgery case against them in Kathmandu District Court. If convicted, the court may sentence them to up to two years of jail term or slap a fine of Rs 10,000 or both.