Thirteen years after a high-profile red sandalwood smuggling case emerged in Kathmandu, authorities have requested the Kathmandu District Court to find infrastructure contractor Nabin Raj Basnet. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) made this request after acquiring new documents confirming his identity and permanent address, which were unavailable during the 2013 prosecution.
Background of the 2013 Smuggling Case
On April 1, 2013, police arrested a driver transporting illegal red sandalwood, leading to a six-month jail sentence and a fine of Rs 361,600 for Bhim Kumar Sunuwar and his assistant Khem Bahadur Singh. However, the main suspect, Nabin Raj Basnet, could not be prosecuted because the police labeled him a fugitive, lacking a verified address at that time. This left the case files pending in court, with the prosecution stating they would re-file once his whereabouts were confirmed. Recently, the DMLI discovered crucial records at the Inland Revenue Office in Koteshwor, including company registration papers and Basnet’s citizenship, removing the major barrier to prosecution.
Court’s Request to Find the Contractor
The DMLI has instructed the Division Forest Office to locate Nabin Raj Basnet and has also asked the Office of the Government Attorney in Kathmandu to bring him to court for the charge sheet.
Ongoing Money Laundering Investigation
The investigation into money laundering has expanded, as authorities plan to charge Basnet if he cannot prove the source of his funds. The DMLI director emphasized that the company must provide documentation regarding its income sources. However, the investigation faces challenges, as Basnet is one of the most protected contractors in the country. He secured a significant public contract through his firm Kshamadevi Construction, which was part of a joint venture to build a taxiway and apron at the upcoming Gautam Buddha International Airport in Bhairahawa three years ago.