Accused Thief Built House, Bought Land And Rs 1 Crore Vehicle Using Stolen Money, Kathmandu Police Investigation Reveals

Police Say Accused Thief Used Stolen Money To Build A House, Buy Land, And A Luxury Vehicle

Kathmandu Police have revealed that a man arrested in connection with multiple theft cases allegedly used stolen money to buy land, build a house, and purchase a luxury vehicle worth nearly Rs 1 crore.

The accused, identified as 41-year-old Prem Tharu from Banke, was arrested by the District Police Range Kathmandu following an investigation into a major theft case in the capital. Police have now filed cases against him for both theft and money laundering.

According to investigators, Tharu was also known by other names, including Suprim Bikash Chaudhary and Saurabh Chaudhary. He is accused of stealing gold and jewellery worth around Rs 1 crore 21 lakh 6 thousand 800 from the third floor of a five-storey house in Boudha on Magh 20.

Police said he was arrested in Nagarjun Ramkot after officers opened fire during the operation, injuring his right leg, before taking him into custody on Magh 21.

Following revelations of large-scale theft activities, police also launched a money laundering investigation and searched properties linked to him in the Banke district. Authorities raided his house in Rapti Sonari-3, Belaspur, where foreign currencies were also recovered.

Police later reached another property in Chapargaudi, Kohalpur, where they found a three-and-a-half-storey concrete house allegedly built using stolen money.

During interrogation, Tharu reportedly admitted that he had been targeting houses in Kathmandu when residents were away and later selling stolen gold and valuables across the border areas connected to India.

Investigators say Tharu himself admitted that he could not even remember how many thefts he had committed over the years. In his statement, he reportedly confessed to buying two kattha of land in Kohalpur for Rs 40 lakh around five to seven years ago and constructing the house using money earned from stolen goods.

He also admitted to purchasing a Toyota Hilux around five and a half years ago for Rs 98 lakh using stolen money, and later selling it for Rs 55 lakh in Butwal last Poush.

Police investigations have also identified multiple land properties registered in his name in different areas of Banke. Authorities say Tharu admitted that while some land was inherited property, the remaining assets were acquired using stolen money.

Investigators further found around Rs 15 lakh in one bank account and around Rs 1.5 lakh in another account linked to him. Police have requested the court to confiscate the bank deposits, properties, and vehicles connected to the case.

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