Police seize server of four cooperatives linked to GB Rai

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 15: In a shocking turn of events, the police have uncovered transaction details of over Rs. 10 billion related to Gitendra Babu Rai,  popularly known as GB Rai, who is currently on the run after allegedly embezzling deposits of over 19,000 persons from the Pokhara-based Surya Darshan Saving and Credit Cooperatives. 

The revelations include details from four cooperatives, including Surya Darshan Cooperatives operated by GB, discovered on servers seized from the residence of a former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Nepal Police.

On Wednesday last week, authorities conducted a raid on the home of former DIG Chhabilal Joshi at Shankhamul in Kathmandu, seizing four servers of the cooperatives.  According to the police, former DIG Joshi had a 35 per cent stake in Galaxy Television, GB Rai 50 per cent and Rastriya Swatantray Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane 1 per cent as sweat equity. The house of Joshi was used as the office of Nature Herbs Pvt. Ltd, operated by Rai.  

Former DIG Joshi, identified as one of the business partners of GB Rai, had reportedly concealed the servers containing crucial cooperative information, according to the police.

The District Police Range Kathmandu, acting on information from the Kaski District Police Office, raided Joshi's residence, seized the servers and took them to the Kaski Police Office for further investigation. 

The Kaski Police, currently probing allegations of swindling depositors over millions of rupees from Surya Darshan Cooperative, has also discovered transaction details of other cooperatives affiliated with GB Rai. 

The investigation officer revealed that the servers contained transaction details of Pokhara's Surya Darshan Cooperative, Chitwan's Sahara Cooperative, Birgunj's Sanopaila Cooperative and Butwal's Supreme Cooperative.

The transaction details of these cooperatives, exceeding Rs. 10 billion, have prompted a comprehensive investigation, said one of the investigation officers of the Pokhara District Police Office. "We have recovered the transaction details of four cooperatives including Surya Darshan and this will be going to be strong evidence to further probe the investigation," said an investigation officer while talking to The Rising Nepal on Wednesday.  

GB Rai, the cooperative owner, allegedly hid the servers at the former DIG's residence to avoid accountability and keep the record safe, said police. 

Upon receiving a complaint and initiating an investigation, authorities discovered the servers’ location at the former DIG's house, prompting the raid. 

"Rai might have hidden the servers at Joshi's house because they would not be able to keep track of the amount to be collected when the servers were destroyed," said the officer.

"They thought it would be safe to keep it in the house of a former police officer." 

But after we got the information, we raided and seized them," said an officer on a condition of anonymity.

GB Rai is currently evading law enforcement with reports suggesting he might be in Malaysia. 

Interpol's assistance has been sought to apprehend and bring him back to Nepal. A diffusion notice against Rai has also been issued for his arrest and deportation to Kathmandu, said police. 

Of the individuals arrested so far, five have been remanded in custody while 14 remain at large. 

The District Court Kaski has ordered Surya Darshan Cooperative's former directors Shiva Bahadur Gurung and Bhabishwar Aryal, treasurer Kumar Ramtel, former Vice-president Kailash Darlami Magar and board member Pramod Bhattarai to be sent to prison until the final hearing. 

The list of individuals absconding includes- GB Rai, his brother Bhupendra, current chairman and manager Than Bahadur Budha, director Dheeraj Kumar Das, Hemanta Adhikari, Manoj Nakarmi, Suraj Shrestha, Aisma Gurung, Kabita Tamang, Sagar KC, Dinesh Roka, Lalita Tamang, account officer Srishti Manandhar and Loan Officer Buddhi Gurung.

In addition, the police are investigating the involvement of Rabi Lamichhane, President of RSP, and Dipesh Pun, son of former Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun, in the same case. 

Allegedly, over 19,000 depositors of Surya Darshan Cooperative have been defrauded of more than Rs. 1.35 billion. The investigation continues to unfold the layers of this cooperative scandal, implicating key figures in the process.