INTERPOL Issues Diffusion Notices Against Suryadarshan Cooperative’s Three Officials

The General Secretariat of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) issued a diffusion notice on Friday against GB Rai, an official of Suryadarshan Cooperative, for allegedly embezzling over Rs 1 billion. This notice comes as a part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities within the cooperative.

Following this, on Sunday, two more officials from Suryadarshan Cooperative, the current president Than Bahadur Budhamgar and former president Bhupendra Rai, were also issued diffusion notices by INTERPOL.

The initiation of the diffusion notice was prompted by a request from the District Police Office, Kaski, to the Police Head Office two weeks ago. The request was made in connection to a case of fraud involving Suryadarshan Cooperative. INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) Kathmandu then approached the General Secretariat of INTERPOL, seeking the issuance of the diffusion notice.

Upon issuance, authorities will determine the locations of the accused individuals within INTERPOL member countries. Subsequently, the process of deportation and bringing them back to Nepal for legal proceedings will be initiated, as informed by the police.

Earlier, the Kaski District Court had ordered the detention of treasurer Kumar Ramtel on October 8, 2023, on charges of misappropriating funds collected by the cooperative’s savers. Additionally, the vice president Kailash Kumar Darlami, along with members Shiv Bahadur Gurung and Bhagishwar Aryal, are also in custody pending trial.

The police have issued arrest warrants for a total of 19 individuals, including GB Rai, in connection with the Suryadarshan Cooperative fraud case. Notably, 15 of them are currently absconding.

According to the complaint filed, officials of Suryadarshan Cooperative are alleged to have embezzled Rs 1.113 billion from the savers. In accordance with the Cooperative Act, the accused individuals are liable to face fines equivalent to eight to 10 years of imprisonment.

The police report further highlights that GB Rai and his counterparts engaged in fraudulent activities, including creating fake shareholders and companies, without providing any collateral, resulting in the embezzlement of funds from Suryadarshan Cooperative. Investigations into this complex financial fraud are ongoing.