Money Laundering Case Filed Against Theft Suspect Prem Tharu Involving Assets Worth NPR 62.2 Million

According to reports, a money laundering case involving approximately NPR 62,216,000 has been registered against Prem Tharu, who is accused of amassing significant wealth through theft. Police arrested Tharu after firing shots and recovered 65 tolas of gold, foreign currency from 16 countries, and a Toyota Hilux vehicle from his possession. Tharu is known to have been professionally involved in theft for the past 7–8 years and resumed criminal activity soon after being released on parole. (May 25, Kathmandu)

Individuals who adopt theft as their profession are observed repeatedly committing crimes to sustain their livelihood. However, the story of this particular thief, who was arrested in a police shootout, is unusual. With money acquired from theft, he has constructed a concrete house and drives a Toyota Hilux valued at over NPR 10 million. The authorities were astonished by the scale of his assets. Tharu is skilled in theft and operates under various aliases.

A money laundering case has been filed against Tharu at the Kathmandu District Court. Investigations revealed that Tharu purchased the Toyota Hilux vehicle for NPR 9.8 million using stolen funds. Despite this, he claims to have sold the vehicle. Tharu has also admitted to accumulating property and land through proceeds of theft. He stated, “I sold stolen gold and silver jewelry, bought 2 kattha of land for NPR 4 million, and built a three-and-a-half-story concrete house.”

During a house search of Tharu, currency notes from 16 countries were discovered. The police found US dollars, Qatari riyals, Korean won, Iraqi dinars, Saudi riyals, Chinese yuan, Australian dollars, Singapore dollars, Bangladeshi taka, Sri Lankan rupees, Bahraini dinars, Bhutanese ngultrum, Argentine pesos, Turkish lira, Indian rupees, and Nepalese rupees. Prem Tharu has pursued theft professionally over the last 7–8 years and continues to be known by different aliases.