Two More Arrested in Smart Telecom Case

Kathmandu. Police have arrested two more people connected with Smart Telecom. Those arrested are 55-year-old Palina Shrestha, residing in Jhamshikhel, Lalitpur Metropolitan City-3, and Narendra Ulak, originally from Panauti, Kavrepalanchok, currently residing in Tokha Municipality-7. They were arrested on Friday, AIG of CIB Dr. Manoj KC told Ratopati.

On May 4, CIB had arrested Sarvesh Joshi, the then Managing Director of Smart Telecom. Police are investigating the accused for criminal breach of trust.

Smart Telecom is currently closed. Smart Telecom has been closed since April 2023 due to non-renewal. CIB stated that the accused defrauded the government by acting with the intention of severing the rights of the Government of Nepal to its property. Police are investigating 45-year-old Joshi, who was arrested on Monday.

The investigation by the police concludes that the accused illegally auctioned off Smart Cell's equipment, which should have come under the ownership of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority after the renewal was not done, in a manner that would sever the government's rights. Shrestha and Ulak, arrested today, were involved in illegally auctioning off the property confiscated by the authority from Smart Cell.