Former Nepal Telecommunications Authority Chair Bhupendra Bhandari Arrested In Smart Cell Scam Investigation
Former Nepal Telecommunications Authority Chairman Bhupendra Bhandari has been arrested by Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau in connection with the ongoing Smart Cell asset sale investigation.
· 2 min read
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested Bhupendra Bhandari, the former Chairman of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), as its investigation into the alleged Smart Cell asset sale scam continues.
Bhandari was arrested from Dhapakhel, Lalitpur Metropolitan City–23, CIB spokesperson SSP Anupam Shumsher Jabara confirmed. Police said he will be investigated over his alleged role in the controversial disposal of Smart Cell's assets.
Alleged Loss To The State
Investigators allege that the sale of Smart Cell's assets caused financial losses to the Government of Nepal after the company's telecom licence had already been revoked.
According to the CIB, the investigation is examining whether government-owned assets were transferred or sold in a manner that deprived the state of its legal ownership and financial interests.
The case has become one of Nepal's biggest ongoing investigations involving the telecommunications sector.
Investigation Continues To Expand
Bhandari's arrest is the latest in a series of detentions linked to the Smart Cell case.
Earlier this year, police arrested former Smart Telecom Chairman Sarvesh Joshi, Nepal Investment Mega Bank CEO Jyoti Prakash Pandey, and several others as investigators widened the probe into the disputed asset auction.
The CIB has said it is continuing to examine the roles of company officials, financial institutions and regulatory authorities involved in the asset transfer process.
Served As NTA Chairman
Before becoming Chairman of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, Bhandari served as an adviser in the secretariat of former Minister for Communications and Information Technology Rekha Sharma.
He was later appointed NTA Chairman after the suspension of then-chairman Purushottam Khanal in connection with the Teramocs case.
Police have not announced any formal charges against Bhandari at this stage, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Published 2 hours ago in Crime