Three Arrested in Pokhara on Human Trafficking Charges, Including Chinese National

In a recent crackdown, three individuals, including a Chinese citizen, have been arrested in Pokhara on charges of human trafficking. The suspects include 31-year-old Zhi Ming Chen, a resident of Paramount Guest House in Lakeside Khare, Ward No. 6, originally from Hunan Province, China; 22-year-old Saru BK from Sangamtol, Pokhara-16; and 34-year-old Bhagwati Adhikari from Arwa, Pokhara-22.

Kaski Police Chief SP Mohan Kumar Thapa confirmed the arrests, detailing the disturbing events leading up to the charges. According to Thapa, Saru and Bhagwati arranged the marriage of a 14-year-old girl to Chen on July 28, convincing her that marrying a foreigner would secure her a better future. This was done without informing the girl’s parents. Chen had entered Nepal on a 90-day visit visa.

After the marriage, Saru and Bhagwati reportedly received financial benefits from Chen and subsequently handed the young girl over to him. Chen then held the girl hostage at Hotel Miracle on Street No. 5 in Lakeside. However, the girl managed to escape from the hotel and sought help.

The girl later coordinated with her parents, and her mother pretended to lure Chen into another marriage proposal, trapping him in a hotel room. This led to the involvement of the police after a complaint was filed at the Kaski District Police Office on Tuesday.

Following the complaint, a police team swiftly arrested the three suspects. The Kaski District Court has since extended the custody period for five days to allow for a thorough investigation into the case of human trafficking.

The police are continuing their investigation to uncover further details surrounding this incident.