Morang Police have arrested three individuals, including a former member of the Young Communist League (YCL), for kidnapping and robbing a man in Biratnagar while impersonating police officers.
The main accused, 26-year-old Kushal Pandey of Biratnagar Metropolitan City–11, is a former YCL member associated with the CPN (Maoist Centre). He was arrested on June 30 (Asar 18), following the earlier arrest of his accomplices Sameer Hussen (24) of Biratnagar–8 and Ashif Ansari (26) of Biratnagar–6 on June 27 (Asar 15).
According to police, the trio abducted Bikram Kumar Sah Teli of Biratnagar–15 on the morning of June 25 (Asar 11) from Mahato Tole in Biratnagar–13. Pretending to be police officers, they took Sah to Jatuwa in Biratnagar–14 and robbed him of Rs. 364,000. After the robbery, they released him with threats of death if he reported the incident.
The case came to light when the victim’s relatives, believing the police had detained Sah, visited the district police office—only to learn he had been abducted and robbed.
Police investigations revealed that all three suspects are repeat offenders. In a previous case on August 15, 2023 (Shrawan 30, 2080), they had allegedly attacked Mohammad Halim Khan with a sword in broad daylight at Sansari Maithan in Biratnagar–10. While Hussen and Ansari were acquitted by the court, Pandey remained on the run.
Authorities stated that Pandey was protected by local leaders of the Maoist Centre, which made it difficult to apprehend him earlier. However, following the recent kidnapping and robbery under the guise of police authority, he was finally arrested.
According to DSP Hastabahadur Sunar of Morang Police, Pandey faces two charges of attempted murder and one of indecent behavior. The charges stem from complaints filed by Manju Tamang, Smile Safi, and Pravez Alam. Hussen and Ansari are also facing two charges each, police added.
Investigators confirmed that the group had a history of criminal activity, including extortion and gangsterism. A case of armed robbery and hostage-taking has been registered, and further investigation is underway.
