Immigration Department Detains Chinese and American Nationals for Suspected Illicit Activities

Kathmandu. The Department of Immigration has arrested one Chinese national and one American national on allegations of engaging in suspicious activities while residing in Nepal. Department Director Tikaram Dhakal informed Ratopati that the Chinese national was arrested from Chabahil on Monday, and the American national was arrested from Thame.

Preliminary investigation by the department revealed that they were involved in suspicious activities contrary to their visa purposes. The department has not disclosed their names. The Chinese national, who was residing in a flat in Paknajol, arrived in Nepal in 2012 on a tourist visa and was subsequently found to have obtained a business visa 13 times afterward. Director Dhakal stated that despite setting up six companies to obtain business visas, he had been teaching at various schools. He added, 'There is a legal provision that foreign nationals are not allowed to work while residing in Nepal on tourist and business visas.'

The American national first entered Nepal in 2017. Returning to Nepal in 2020, he established a company named Calvary Service Center Pvt. Ltd. in Sanga Chokgadi, Sindhupalchok. The company's address was found to be listed in Saibun, Lalitpur. The preliminary investigation findings of the department conclude that he was operating an orphanage in Godavari, Lalitpur, and was involving children in proselytizing Christianity. Director Dhakal informed that they are currently under investigation while in custody.