Former State Minister Taramana Gurung Released After Eight Days In Custody

Former State Minister Taramana Gurung has been released after spending eight days in police custody following fraud complaints involving Rs 71.5 lakh taken from three people after allegedly promising to arrange houses for them in Kathmandu.

Gurung was released after returning the money and reaching a compromise with the complainants at the District Government Attorney’s Office, according to Kathmandu police.

The case came to public attention after it was revealed that Gurung, who was also serving as coordinator of the Nepali Congress Disciplinary Committee, had been arrested following complaints filed by three people.

He later resigned from his party position on moral grounds after news of his arrest became public.

Released After Eight Days In Custody

The Kathmandu District Court had given police permission to arrest Gurung on Bhadra 16.

Following the court’s approval, police arrested him in Kathmandu on Bhadra 18 and kept him in custody at the District Police Range Kathmandu in Bhadrakali.

He was released on Bhadra 26 after spending eight days in custody.

According to SP Dan Bahadur Thapa of the District Police Range Kathmandu, Gurung was released after an agreement was reached between him and the complainants at the District Government Attorney’s Office.

Police said Gurung returned the money owed to the complainants before his release.

Under provisions related to banking offences, authorities can release an accused person after the amount owed to complainants has been paid and the parties reach an agreement.

Three People Filed Complaints

Police said three people had filed complaints against the 62 year old former state minister.

The complainants were Rinjangbu Sherpa of Bhote Koshi Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok, Dorje Sherpa of Bhote Koshi Rural Municipality Ward 4 and Sonurpu Sherpa, also from Ward 4 of the same rural municipality.

According to police, Gurung had received a combined Rs 71.5 lakh from the three complainants on different dates.

The complaints said the money was provided as advance payments after Gurung promised to arrange houses for them in Kathmandu.

Rs 14 Lakh Taken From First Complainant

According to the complaint filed by Rinjangbu Sherpa, Gurung received Rs 14 lakh from him on different dates.

Sherpa said the money was given as an advance after Gurung promised to arrange a house in Kathmandu.

However, the promised house was not arranged, according to the complaint.

Rs 33.5 Lakh From Second Complainant

Dorje Sherpa alleged that he provided Gurung with Rs 33.5 lakh.

According to his complaint, the amount was also paid on different dates as an advance for arranging a house in Kathmandu.

The promised arrangement was not completed, leading Dorje to seek the return of his money.

Rs 24 Lakh From Third Complainant

The third complainant, Sonurpu Sherpa, accused Gurung of taking Rs 24 lakh under a similar arrangement.

Police said all three complaints were similar in nature, with the complainants alleging that Gurung received money after promising to arrange houses but failed to provide them.

The total amount involved in the three complaints reached Rs 71.5 lakh.

Checks Given To Complainants Bounced

The dispute later developed further when the complainants asked Gurung to return their money.

According to police, Gurung provided checks to the three complainants for repayment. However, those checks bounced.

The complainants then approached police, claiming they had been defrauded.

Based on the complaints, police sought permission from the Kathmandu District Court to arrest Gurung.

The court approved the request, allowing police to issue an arrest warrant and proceed with the investigation.

Police subsequently arrested Gurung in Kathmandu and kept him in custody while legal proceedings continued.

Money Returned Before Release

The case eventually moved toward a settlement after Gurung returned the money to the complainants.

Police said the parties reached a compromise at the District Government Attorney’s Office, allowing Gurung to be released after eight days in custody.

His release followed the repayment and agreement with the complainants rather than a finding by a court that the original allegations were proven.

The distinction is important because the case began with allegations made by the complainants, while Gurung’s release came after the financial dispute was settled.

Gurung Resigns From Congress Position

The case also had political consequences for Gurung.

At the time of his arrest, he was serving as coordinator of the Nepali Congress Disciplinary Committee.

After information about his arrest and detention became public, criticism emerged within the party.

Gurung subsequently resigned from the position on moral grounds.

Nepali Congress spokesperson Devraj Chalise confirmed his resignation.

Congress President Gagan Thapa also informed a meeting of the party’s Central Working Committee that Gurung had resigned as coordinator of the Disciplinary Committee.

The resignation came after his arrest became publicly known, even though Gurung had already been released following the settlement with the complainants.

Gurung Previously Served As State Minister For Health

Gurung is a former State Minister for Health and served in the position in 2073 BS.

He is originally from Makalu Rural Municipality Ward 2 in Sankhuwasabha and currently resides in Dillibazar, Kathmandu.

His latest case attracted attention because of both his previous government role and his position within the Nepali Congress.

Gurung was ultimately released after returning the money and reaching a compromise with all three complainants, bringing his eight day period in police custody to an end.