Kathmandu, November 29

The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police has arrested three persons for allegedly running a forgery racket under the garb of photo studios in different places of Kathmandu.

Acting on a tip-off, a special team of the CIB carried out coordinated raids on Shrestha Photo Studio in Gongabu, Star Digital Photo Studio in Sinamangal and Dawadi Digital Photo Studio in Basundhara, and arrested their operators yesterday.

The alleged members of the forgery racket have been identified as Sabin Kumar Tolangi, 34, of Okhaldhunga, Amri Surkheti, 34, of Chitwan and Madhusudan Dawadi, 26, of Dhading.

Superintendent of Police Bel Bahadur Pandey, CIB spokesperson, said they were involved in producing and selling fake government documents, certificates of academic qualifications and driving licences on request of their clients.

Police have seized a huge cache of fake police clearance certificates, academic transcripts and provisional certificates of Plus Two level, certificates of special task force of Armed Police Force, security training, arms handling and VIP security training.

Seized fake documents also included mark-sheets issued by District Level Examination Education Board, no objection letters, letter pads of various metropolitan police circles, citizenship certificates, letter pads of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and political parties, recommendation letters of ward offices, bank statements, medical reports and PAN cards.

The CIB said it was trying to get the details of persons who had obtained fake documents from the forgers, while searching for other suspects working as their associates. Officials said more persons seemed to be associated with this racket.

The trio also came into contact with many people aspiring for abroad studies, who were lured into procuring fake documents as part of visa application.

According to the CIB, they will be sued under section 276 of the Criminal Code Act-2017. Any person involved in forgery of government seals and signatures shall be liable to imprisonment up to seven years and fine not exceeding Rs 70,000 as per the law. SP Pandey said the clients of the forgery racket would also be liable to the punishment.