32 Individuals Charged in Nepal Over Fake Tourist Rescue Scam Targeting Insurance Payouts
Kathmandu. Cases have been filed against 32 individuals involved in a fraud scheme centered on extorting insurance money through fake rescue operations targeting tourists undertaking treks in Nepal. The Kathmandu District Attorney's Office filed the cases at the Kathmandu District Court on Sunday.
According to Deepak Kumar Shrestha, the information officer for the court, charges have been filed under crimes against the state and organized crime. Information Officer Shrestha stated that 8 of the 32 defendants have been arrested and brought before the court, while the others have been declared absconders.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police had recommended filing charges against 33 individuals. However, sources indicate that the decision was made not to prosecute Rajendra Bahadur Singh, the former General Manager of Mountain Helicopter, who was arrested by the CIB, despite the CIB claiming he was the mastermind behind the entire affair.
The decision from the District Attorney's Office stated: "Regarding the arrested defendant Rajendra Bahadur Singh, based on the investigation conducted so far, no evidence was found linking him to the alleged crimes or indicating he received any benefits. Therefore, a decision has been made not to prosecute him for the time being, and further action will be taken as per the official release."
Furthermore, while the CIB submitted an investigation report spanning 1,243 pages, the public prosecutor submitted an indictment of only 748 pages, which critics suggest weakens the case. The investigation report was reportedly held at the District Attorney's Office for a week due to external pressure.
These are the 32 Defendants
1. Mukti Pandey – Everest Expedition and Assistance Pvt. Ltd.
2. Subash KC – Everest Expedition and Assistance Pvt. Ltd.
3. Bibek Pandey – Mountain Rescue Service
4. Jayaram Rimal – Mountain Rescue Service
5. Bibekraj Thapaliya – Nepal Charter Service Pvt. Ltd.
6. Rabindra Adhikari – Nepal Charter Service Pvt. Ltd.
7. Dr. Girwaraj Timalsina – Shriddhi International Hospital
8. Dr. Minlama Pandey – Swakan International Hospital
9. Shyam Sundar Kandel – Swakan International Hospital
10. Sandeep Dhungana – Himalayan Masters Adventures
11. Sandeep Tiwari – Royal Holiday Adventure
12. Shanta Kumar Baniya – Magic Himalaya Trek
13. Binod Sapkota – Nepal Trek Adventure
14. Jeevan Pandey – Era International Hospital
15. Bhanu Dhakal – Era International Hospital
16. Furba Tshiring Sherpa – Era International Hospital
17. Mamita Bhatt – Era International Hospital
18. Chhunga Sherpa – Era International Hospital
19. Pasang Sherpa – Panorama Himalaya Trekking
20. Tenjing Sherpa – Panorama Himalaya Trekking
21. Pasang Dawa Sherpa – Altitude Air
22. Badri Lamsal – Spiritual Excursion
23. Kavindra Lamsal – Spiritual Excursion
24. Bishnu Prasad Lamsal – Nepal Hiking Adventure
25. Sandeep Bhandari – Mountain Helicopter
26. Prakash Babu Dahal – Manang Air
27. Chandra Prasad Pyakurel – Altitude Air
28. Kumar Bhandari – Nepal Rescue and Assistance
29. Khomraj Adhikari – Nepal Charter Service
30. Ganesh Silwal – Era International Hospital
31. Shriram KC Swakan – Hospital (Former Operator)
32. Ramkumar Phuyal – Worldwide Assistance Pvt. Ltd.
This specific news has been automatically translated by AI. As a result, there may be some inaccuracies or language errors.
