Former Registrar of Cooperatives Arrested in Pokhara for Embezzling Over Rs 10 Million

Udaya Bahadur Parajuli, the former registrar of the Cooperatives Registrar’s Office in Pokhara, has been apprehended in connection with a money embezzlement case exceeding Rs 10 million. The arrest was made by the police, who accused Parajuli of misappropriating funds intended for the expansion of the Mitra Milan Saving and Credit Cooperative Society Limited in Pokhara.

Parajuli, currently serving as the Chief Administrative Officer of Kushma Municipality, Parbat, was taken into custody at his workplace on Wednesday. His arrest followed an issuance of an arrest warrant by the District Court, Kaski, after he had been missing for several days. Superintendent of Police Mohan Kumar Thapa of the District Police Office, Kaski, confirmed that Parajuli is being transported to Pokhara.

“He went to his office today after so many days, and we arrested him at his workplace. We are now bringing him to Pokhara,” stated Thapa.

Prior to his role as the Chief Administrative Officer of Kushma Municipality, Parbat, Parajuli served as the Registrar of the Cooperatives Registrar’s Office in Pokhara.

During the investigation into the cooperative’s operations, it was discovered that funds were allegedly embezzled under the pretext of expanding the ‘workplace of Mitra Milan.’ The investigation revealed a case of money embezzlement amounting to Rs 10,500,000.

Six individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the misappropriation of Mitra Milan funds, while more than two dozen, including the ward chair of Pokhara-21, remain at large. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shrawan Kumar BK, the spokesperson for the District Police Office, Kaski, stated that further investigations are ongoing, and efforts to locate the remaining suspects are underway.

The situation has prompted 744 individuals who have invested in the Mitra Milan Saving and Credit Cooperative Society Limited, Pokhara, to file a writ petition against Parajuli, alleging money embezzlement of Rs 20 million.