Congress VP Gurung denies involvement in Miteri Cooperative scam, explains divorce

Kathmandu, November 13 — Nepali Congress Vice President Dhanraj Gurung has provided clarification to the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) regarding his divorce from his wife amid allegations of his involvement in the Miteri Cooperative fraud.

Responding to questions about his involvement in the scam and whether the divorce was fabricated, Gurung stated, "I have legally divorced. It was not a forgery."

CIB SP Hobindra Bogati confirmed to Ratopati that Gurung was called in to provide a detailed statement about the incident.

Gurung explained that he had taken a loan of NPR 1.2 million from Miteri Savings, located in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-5, to send his son abroad. He clarified that the loan was taken as an ordinary member. However, during the divorce proceedings, he had pledged his house as collateral to repay the loan and agreed not to make further claims from his wife. He further stated, "I repaid NPR 8.4 million, which was my share. Apart from that, I have not misappropriated any funds from the cooperative."

Gurung confirmed that he is ready to cooperate with the investigation. He mentioned that Miteri Cooperative had auctioned off his house and added that after the divorce, he had maintained contact with his wife, Jyoti Gurung. He expressed frustration, stating, "Miteri Cooperative has destroyed my home and reputation."

Regarding his ex-wife, Jyoti Gurung, who was also an operator of Miteri Cooperative and is now a fugitive, Gurung said, "I heard she is in America, but I'm not sure where she is."

Interpol has issued a Red Notice against Jyoti. Gurung told the police that his relationship with his wife began to deteriorate after 2009. He described how his wife’s frequent trips to places like Bangkok and Singapore contributed to the breakdown of their marriage, saying, "I became mentally disturbed after hearing she was going to discos and bars."

Gurung mentioned that although he did not want a divorce, the situation escalated when, after spending a month at his in-laws’ house, he unexpectedly received a court summons and was forced to proceed with the divorce.