KATHMANDU: Four individuals who purported to be anti-corruption activists have been apprehended on charges of fraud, as reported by the Kathmandu District Police Office. Allegedly, they unlawfully established an organization named Campaign Against Irregularities and Corruption-2080 within the jurisdiction of the Gokarneshwar Municipality and extended its presence into various wards. The police revealed that these individuals frequented government offices, local bodies, educational institutions, and various other establishments, posing as anti-corruption advocates. They purportedly coerced officials into providing unnecessary information and issued threats.

Their strategy reportedly consisted of presenting unfounded allegations of financial problems, tax evasion, and corruption against officials and staff in order to instill fear and intimidation. The accused allegedly threatened legal action, videotaped interactions, requested access to accounts and irrelevant material, and unlawfully collected money. They were also charged with spreading false information on social media sites, damaging the reputations of the people they targeted.

Responding to complaints lodged at the Bouddha Police Circle, law enforcement authorities arrested the four individuals on June 17. The suspects were identified as Prem Prasad Shrestha, 45, from ward number 2, Adarsha Kshetri, 26, from ward number 8 of the same municipality, Asmita Khatri, 20, and Raju Sunar, 31, all of whom were residents of Gokarneshwar Municipality 6. Subsequent investigations are underway to delve deeper into their alleged fraudulent activities. Authorities are currently carrying out additional investigations to determine the degree of the accused individuals' involvement in fraudulent operations.