Kathmandu, April 30: A major money laundering case involving assets worth over Rs. 686.5 million has been filed against former Security Printing Centre Executive Director Bikal Poudel and his wife Elina Basnet.
The Revenue Investigation Department lodged the case at the Kathmandu District Court, accusing the couple of laundering wealth generated through illegal foreign exchange transactions. Authorities claim the pair conducted transactions exceeding Rs. 686.5 million and attempted to conceal the origin of the funds.
Investigators allege that Poudel transferred assets earned through public procurement abroad, parked funds in foreign accounts, and routed money through multiple countries—including the United States, Dubai, and Singapore—to obscure their sources.
Poudel, currently serving a sentence at Dillibazar Prison following a separate corruption conviction by the Special Court, has been named the primary accused. His wife Basnet is reportedly residing in the United States.
The department has sought imprisonment, fines, and confiscation of assets under the Asset (Money) Laundering Prevention Act, 2008. Prosecutors are demanding penalties up to twice the alleged रकम, along with jail terms based on the severity of the offence.
Authorities have specified separate claims: Rs. 611.32 million against Poudel and Rs. 75.14 million against Basnet. A related case under the Foreign Exchange (Regularisation) Act, 2019 had already been filed earlier in September 2024. #Nepal
