Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has disclosed that Ravi Dhamala, the key suspect among three individuals arrested with Rs 92 lakh, is an escapee from Sindhupalchok’s Chautara Prison.
On Tuesday night, a team led by DSP Anil Ghimire under the Crime Investigation Office’s 4th pillar arrested Dhamala along with Jeet Bahadur Tamang from Rasuwa and Santosh Khati from Sankhuwasabha. They were arrested from Kathmandu’s Lolang and Jorpati areas.
The police confiscated Rs 77 lakh from Dhamala and Tamang, while Khati had Rs 15 lakh in his possession, amounting to a total of Rs 92 lakh. The authorities suspect the group was involved in illegal gold trading.
“We suspect the money is linked to the illegal gold trade. Initial investigations show a connection to smuggling activities,” said SSP Sanuram Bhattarai of the Crime Investigation Office.
Further investigations revealed that Dhamala owns gold shops in Jorpati and Rasuwa. He had previously been convicted of human trafficking charges and was serving time in Chautara Prison. During the 2015 earthquake, when the prison was damaged, Dhamala escaped custody.
Dhamala’s criminal record also shows he was accused of selling his wife, following a complaint filed by her family. Police had arrested him, leading to his conviction for human trafficking. It is unclear whether he completed his remaining sentence after his escape, but Dhamala has claimed to the police that he later served his term.
