DHANKUTA: The police on Thursday arrested Santosh Dahal, general manager of the Dhankuta branch of Chemeli Traders’ and Investment Private Limited, on the charge of fleecing customers through the investment company.

Dahal who had been absconding for the past three months, was held with the help of CTIPL staffers. The proprietors and other top officials of the finance company have been accused of ripping off customers as they have run away with the money invested by locals in the company.

Chairman of the company, Bharat Shah, has also been detained in Itahari Area Police Office. “We’re interrogating the duo and have been investigating into the case,” ASI Harka Bahadur Rai, at Dhankuta District Police Office, said. CTIPL Dhankuta branch chief Omraj Lama is still at large.

Similarly, CTIPL proprietors Dhruba Shankar Ghimire, Chet Bahadur Karki, Nageshwor Mahato and Sapukar Ray are absconding, the police said. The police seized computers, printers, bills and other documents from the CTIPL Dhankuta office. The company had collected Rs 35 lakh from some 300 individuals in Dhankuta and Hille bazaar.

“Rs 15,30,000 has been provided as loan to customers. However, there is no record of the remaining fund,” Sudha Lwagun, CTIPL staffer said.