Sep 07, Kathmandu - In a daring night-time raid, a group of robbers entered a house in Majuwa Newar Tole, Khadadadi Rural Municipality-2, Ramechhap, on Bhadra 18. The gang tied the hands of 85-year-old Bakhtaman Lama and his 86-year-old wife, Kanchhi Maya Tamang, with plastic tape, blindfolded them, and looted jewelry and cash from their home.

The incident was reported to the District Police Office in Ramechhap, prompting an investigation. CCTV footage revealed the presence of suspicious individuals, leading authorities to identify four suspects with technical assistance. The police also collaborated with Bhaktapur Police in the operation.

Five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case: Suman Jarga Magar (25) of Ghyanglekh Rural Municipality-2, Sindhuli; Dirgharaj Moktan (32) and Pashupati Shrestha (33) of Khandadevi Rural Municipality-2, Ramechhap; Pitambar Thahatraj (44) of Damak Municipality-7, Jhapa; and Gunaraj Basnet (38) of Belahara Rural Municipality-5, Dhanusha.

Suman, currently working as a bus driver in Kathmandu, was found with Rs. 25,000 cash, a mobile phone, and a motorcycle (BA 73 P 8712). Dirgharaj, a co-driver of a public bus, was caught with Rs. 52,200 and the jacket and half-pants he wore during the robbery. Pashupati was identified as a motorcycle rider, with Rs. 6,460 in cash and a motorcycle recovered from him. His bank account at Lakshmi Sunrise Bank holds Rs. 131,000.

Pitambar, a gold and silver trader from Bhaktapur, was found with two gold rings. Police also uncovered that Pashupati's group had previously broken into the donation box of Mahadev Temple in Ramechhap.

The gang is linked to other thefts, including the theft of about 30 kg of lamb belonging to Sundari Shrestha on Asadha 1 and 15 kg of goat belonging to Ram Bahadur Shrestha in early Bhadra 7. The group had also exhibited misconduct in Ramechhap, with Dirgharaj facing charges of misconduct on Paush 14, 2078.

According to police records, Pashupati’s group has a history of theft and robbery, including a case of theft from the Sunapati Rural Municipality, and was involved in a robbery at Eman Singh Tamang's house in Dimipokhari, Sunapati Rural Municipality, where Rs. 78,000 was stolen.

District Police Chief Deputy Superintendent Santu Lal Prasad Jaiswar confirmed that the group was apprehended with the help of CCTV and technical support.

“Once we arrested them and checked their records, we realized they are serial offenders,” DSP Jaiswar said. “They have been involved in robberies in Ramechhap and selling stolen goods in Kathmandu Valley for a long time.”