Kathmandu: Police have arrested six individuals from Attarkhel Chowk of Gokarneshwor Municipality-8, Kathmandu, on charges of trading counterfeit currency. A total of 93 fake banknotes of Rs 1,000 denomination were recovered from their possession.
According to police, the arrests were made at around 9:30 pm on Wednesday following a tip-off regarding the circulation of counterfeit notes. A joint team deployed from Police Circle Bouddha and the District Police Range Kathmandu carried out the operation.
Those arrested have been identified as Dawa Norbu Sherpa, 32, a permanent resident of Bahrabise Municipality-2, Sindhupalchowk, currently living in Sankhu, Shankharapur Municipality-4, and Pasang Sherpa, 44, from the same area. Also taken into custody are Prakash Gurung, 32, of Melamchi Municipality-3, Sindhupalchowk; Renuka Bharati, 42, of Sangachokgadhi Municipality-10, Sindhupalchowk; and Gokarna Thapa, 65, of Balefi Rural Municipality-2, Sindhupalchowk. All were residing in different parts of Shankharapur Municipality at the time of arrest. Suk Bahadur Syangbo, 43, of Shankharapur Municipality-3, Kathmandu, was also arrested.
Police officials said preliminary investigations suggest the group was involved in the distribution of counterfeit currency in and around the Kathmandu Valley. However, the source of the fake notes and the extent of the network have not yet been confirmed.
Further investigation is underway to determine how the counterfeit notes were procured, whether additional individuals are involved, and if the group has links to a wider counterfeit currency network. Police have stated that more arrests could follow as the investigation progresses.
