Ten Individuals Detained by CIB in Connection with Fake Tourist Rescue Scheme for Insurance Fraud
Kathmandu. Ten individuals are currently in the custody of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the police on charges of illegally claiming insurance money through fake rescues in the mountaineering and trekking sector.
The involvement of two hospitals has been uncovered so far in the fake rescue operations. CIB officials stated that investigations revealed the operators of Shriddhi International Hospital in Lazimpat and Swakan Hospital operating in the Dhobikhola corridor were involved in the fake rescue case. Dr. Girwanraj Timilsina, the operator of Shriddhi, is currently in custody.
The police are investigating five operators of transport services and trekking companies who have been arrested. Sandeep Tiwari, operator of Royal Holidays Adventure and Travel Company; Jayram Rimal, operator of Mountain Rescue Service Pvt. Ltd.; Vivek Pandey, manager; Rabindra Adhikari, operator of Nepal Chartered Service; and Vivekraj Thapaliya, operation manager, are in custody. Similarly, Mukti Pandey, operator of Everest Experience and Associates Pvt. Ltd., and manager Subash KC, along with Pasaang Sherpa, operator of Panorama Himalayan Trekking and Expedition Pvt. Ltd., are also detained.
Transport service companies conducted fake rescues under the guise of rescue and treatment for 317 tourists who came to visit high-altitude Himalayan regions. AIG Dr. Manoj KC of the CIB stated that the accused were involved in fake rescues that occurred since 2022.
After the 'planned rescue' from high Himalayan areas, the accused would bring the tourists to a Kathmandu hospital via helicopter. Police investigation so far shows that foreigners were taken and admitted to Shriddhi and Swakan hospitals. It was found that after staging a situation of medical necessity during trekking in the high Himalayas, tourists were rescued, admitted to the hospital, and then fake medical reports were generated. Doctors whose signatures appear on the medical reports have denied their signatures during questioning by investigation officers.
One CIB officer involved in the investigation told Ratopati that the hospital operators were keeping the tourists in hospital beds and serving them beer. He said, "It was found that they were being served beer while staying at the hospital."
AIG Dr. KC of the CIB stated that the investigation revealed that tour operators and hospital operators confiscated and held the tourists' passports until the insurance claim process was completed. He said, "We have received complaints stating that they were not allowed to leave the hospital and their passports were confiscated."
Two foreign nationals have filed complaints via email to the police alleging that Pasaang Sherpa, operator of Panorama Himalayan Trekking and Expedition Pvt. Ltd., did not allow them to leave the hospital and confiscated their passports in 2025.
The investigation has also revealed that some tourists were kept in hotels while records showed they were admitted to the hospital. An officer involved in the investigation says, "Although records show hospital admission, some tourists were seen staying at hotels during that time."
Singh's Strong Push to Settle the Case
Aviation management expert Rajendra Bahadur Singh is also being investigated by the police after his arrest. Investigation officers state that Singh, a former vice-president of the Airlines Operators Association, was found in an audio recording instructing those arrested in the fake rescue to hide evidence. Investigation officers claim Singh lobbied in favor of those arrested in the fake rescue.
It was found that he assured one defendant that he would arrange for news to be published against the police operation in the media to halt the fake rescue proceedings. An officer involved in the investigation says, "It appears that news was published as per what Singh told the defendant."
Investigation officers state that Singh, who is also the former chairman of Mountain Helicopter, was himself involved in the crime of conducting fake rescues and claiming illegal insurance money. Singh is a member of the High-Level Committee for Comprehensive Analysis and Management of the Civil Aviation Sector, formed by the Council of Ministers on Chaitra 4, 2081.
The police are investigating the accused under the charges of acting against national interest, fraud, and the Organized Crime Prevention Act-2070.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
