KATHMANDU, Feb 22: Gyanendra Khadka, the founder of ‘Gyapu’ online marketplace, has lodged a complaint with the police alleging that he was kidnapped by Nepali Congress (NC) leader Ganesh Lama.
Khadka filed a complaint against Lama at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office and made the announcement through social media on Wednesday. He has alleged that Lama, along with Sahadev Kashapati, abducted him from Adarsha Tole in Dholahiti, Lalitpur, and took him to a hotel in Sanepa, where he was held captive for over 8 hours.
Khadka in a statement has claimed that they held him hostage and demanded a ransom.
Khadka’s statement reads, "A few days ago, on January 8, 2024, notorious criminal group Ganesh Lama and Sahadev Kakshapati abducted me from Lalitpur, Dholahiti Adarsha Tole and threatened and terrorized me by making me a captive in a room in London House Hotel for more than 8 hours, demanding millions of rupees in ransom."
Khadka said that he was kidnapped by Lama and Kashapati at around 1 PM. The group members wearing masks and caps had whisked him away in a car.
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He also mentioned that millions of rupees were taken from him while he was held captive. He filed the complaint on February 11, stating that he had been abducted.
Spokesperson and Superintendent of Police (SP) Rabindra Regmi of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office said that Khadka had filed a complaint. However, he said that the complaint has been forwarded to Lalitpur for further investigation.
“There was a complaint. As the incident took place in Lalitpur, we have sent the complaint to the District Police Range, Lalitpur,” said Regmi.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shekhar Khanal, chief of Lalitpur Police Range, also said that they have conducted an initial investigation and sent it for further investigation. He also stated that he had not seen the incident himself.
Khadka said he made the incident public out of fear that the case might be weak since no arrests had been made despite the complaint being filed for several days.
Khadka has also said, “They tried to extort the crypto currency Bitcoin from me, suspecting that I had it. Khadka added that after looking at the mobile phone and laptop, nothing was found. After that, he was forcibly made to sign papers worth 200 million.
He said, “They thought that if I had Bitcoin, they would transfer it and I wouldn’t dare to go to the police. So, they planned to abduct me.” Khadka added, “'But I haven't been engaged in any Bitcoin business. After that, they made me sign papers worth Rs 200 million. If I didn't sign the papers, there was no way out, so I signed the papers. After that, I went to India.”
He also said that he transferred Rs 2.5 million because Lama contacted him and asked for money even a few days after the incident. Apart from that, there were further demands for additional amounts in subsequent chats.
"I have also provided the WhatsApp chats to the police along with the complaint," he said.
Khadka also stated that after making the incident public to the police, pressure was exerted through various individuals to reconcile
Khadka also mentioned that he met Ganesh Lama only once. He met him through some friends on Durbar Marg in 2071 BS. However, Khadka clarified that he had no relationship with Lama.
Khadka claims to have been abducted by Lama, who has been claiming that cryptocurrency could be legalized in Nepal in various interviews out of suspicion that Khadka might possess cryptocurrency. However, Khadka stated that he was not involved in cryptocurrency transactions.
