May 20, Pokhara – Subash Pradhan, the operator of Bhote Koshi Heli Resort and Spa Limited, who was initially arrested on February 5, 2026 (Magh 23, 2082 BS) on charges of banking fraud, has been arrested once again. With assistance from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Teku, Pradhan was taken into custody on May 17 (Jestha 3) and brought to Pokhara. He has been granted an additional three-day detention by Kaski custody on Tuesday, May 21, while police continue their investigation.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Naveen Karki, stated that the arrest followed a complaint filed by China Bahadur Rana Bhat, the former chairman of Bhote Koshi Heli Resort and Spa Limited based in Pokhara. Investigations revealed that Pradhan issued a check worth NPR 70 million to China Bahadur, the main shareholder, as payment for shares. China Bahadur has explained that he became the principal shareholder and that the resort was operated jointly by Samir Kumar Nepal (Morang), Chhiring Sherpa (Sindhupalchok), and Subash Pradhan (Nuwakot).
Initially, from 2021 (2078 BS), the resort was managed by China Bahadur, Samir, and Chhiring. According to China Bahadur, Subash Pradhan joined as a participant after approximately three years. Due to the resort’s inability to repay the loans taken for its operations, Nepal Bank Limited has initiated auction proceedings. On May 14 (Jestha 1), Gorkhapatra Daily released a public notice announcing the commencement of the auction process. According to the loan recovery department of the bank, an auction process has been initiated for 27 ropani 6 aana of land in the former Marmung-1 area along with the structures of the resort constructed on the property.
The auction is scheduled for June 19, 2026 (Asar 5, 2083 BS), at 11 a.m. at the Kathmandu Banking Office. However, prior to the auction, Pradhan was arrested in connection to China Bahadur’s complaint. While China Bahadur, the key shareholder, agreed to transfer his shares by issuing the NPR 70 million check to Pradhan, he stated that although the share transfer was completed, he remains personally liable for the debt. “Had the agreement been properly fulfilled, this situation would not have arisen. Due to non-compliance, I was compelled to file the complaint,” China Bahadur remarked.
