Comedian Iku held on fraud charge

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Sept. 12: The Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police has arrested comedian Surya Man Shankar (Suleman Shanker) alias Iku.

A special squad of CIB deployed from Maharajgunj detained Iku from  Hattigaunda of  Budhanilkantha Municipality-3, on Monday.

Although he is a permanent resident of Dhapakhel of Lalitpur-24, he has temporarily been living in Dhumbarahi of Kathmandu Metropolitan City-4. 

According to the Superintendent of Police and Spokesperson for the CIB, Hobindra Bogati, Iku has been found involved in a fraudulent case through his private film company ‘SMS Film Pvt. Limited’, saying that he and his company would manage artist visas to the persons interested in going to Australia, Canada and other European countries in the name of showcasing different cultural programmes and shows there.

Iku used to tell the interested people first to deposit Rs. 1.5 to 2 million in the bank account (Global IME) opened in his film company's name.

Later, when the persons who had deposited money started exerting pressure on him either to send them abroad or to return their money, Iku used to escape from them and hide by changing his locations several times. 

SP Bogati said that following victims' repeated requests and warnings, victims finally lodged complaints against him, which culminated in his arrest on Monday.

Police have taken a five-day remand order against Iku to investigate further in the case.

According to the police, his office was also found involved in producing forged documents of bank statements and visas to deceive people who came into his contact.