One nabbed for intimidating businessmen in name of Indian gangster Bishnoi

Kathmandu, November 29 – The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police has arrested a man on charges of threatening Nepali businesspeople in the name of Indian gangster Lawrence Bishnoi.

The arrested individual has been identified as Hari Prasad Phuyal, a resident of Jhapa.

According to CIB spokesperson (SP) Hobindra Bogati, Phuyal had been making threatening phone calls to Nepali businessmen while residing in India. The authorities apprehended him near the Nepal-India border at Pani Tanki area and brought him to Kathmandu.

Phuyal had been threatening to harm the businessmen if they did not financially support the Durga Prasai-led "Rashtra, Rashtriyata, Dharma, Sanskriti, Ra Nagarik Bachau Maha Abhiyan" (Nation, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizen Protection Movement).

He allegedly told his victims, "If you do not help Durga Prasain, I will finish you off."

141 threatening calls from India

The CIB has revealed that 141 threatening phone calls were made from India to various Nepali businesspeople. Six individuals, including bankers and other businessmen, filed complaints with the CIB about receiving such threats.

Initial investigations by the CIB found that all the threatening calls originated from India. The callers identified themselves as members of the Lawrence Gang and said, "We are from the Lawrence Gang. Since Durga Prasain is fighting to protect Hinduism, you must provide financial support to him."

The callers also threatened to harm the businessmen if they did not cooperate with Durga Prasain, claiming to have detailed information about the businesses.

 One CIB official involved in the investigation remarked, “It appears they are using extortion tactics, claiming they have taken a contract to intimidate the victims."

The case is still under investigation, and authorities are continuing their efforts to trace the source of the calls and further understand the involvement of Phuyal in the threatening activity.