Major Corruption Cases Nepal 2026

Nepal's largest money laundering case worth over Rs 115 billion was filed at the Special Court against 39 individuals and companies involved in securities, insurance, and banking sectors. Deepak Bhatta is the prime accused with Rs 26.63 billion claimed against him and is in police custody.

Investigations uncovered a multi-billion rupee money laundering and securities fraud network led by Deepak Bhatta and associates, involving Rs545 million disguised as land advances and illicit loan repayments linked to Jagdamba Steels violating banking regulations.

The Ministry of Education and Sports formed a three-member committee to investigate forged documents used in study visa recommendations and suspended related visa processes pending results.

The Special Court directed submissions of arguments in the corruption case against former Nepal Doorsanchar Company MD Sunil Poudel and 18 others, relating to alleged financial irregularities during a billing system upgrade at Nepal Telecom.

Hearings in the major fraud case portraying Nepalis as Bhutanese refugees continued in Kathmandu District Court, nearing final stages. The case involves 30 accused persons, including notable politicians, charged with forgery, fraud, and state crimes.

Ten foreign nationals obtained student visas in Nepal using forged documents from Balmiki Campus; authorities arrested two suspects as the investigation into visa fraud continues.

Kathmandu District Court commenced continuous hearings in the fake Bhutanese refugee scam involving 30 accused, including former ministers and officials charged with organized fraud and document forgery. The scam promised false resettlement in the U.S., defrauding hundreds across Nepal.

Nepalese lawmakers demanded a high-level parliamentary investigation into alleged customs irregularities and manipulation of vehicle seat capacities causing substantial revenue losses.

Reports highlighted Nepal's deep-rooted governance issues including systemic corruption, political culture prioritizing individuals over institutions, bureaucratic capacity crises, and lack of accountability hampering good governance efforts.

The Supreme Court scheduled a hearing for the corruption case against former CIA Commissioner Rajnarayan Pathak involving bribery linked to Nepal Engineering College irregularities. Pathak resigned amid impeachment fears after evidence of a 78 lakh rupees bribe emerged.

The detention hearing for Tulsi Adhikari, charged with money laundering and fraud involving over Rs65 million, began at Lalitpur District Court following his arrest in Thailand and transfer to Nepal.

Om Prasad Pandey, chair of Ram Janaki Health Foundation, was arrested for misusing Prabhu Bank loans through shell companies, violating banking laws with funds obtained without detailed project reports.

Former Senior Superintendent of Police Ganesh Regmi alleged misuse of Nepal's money laundering investigations for personal and political vendettas, citing premature publicization of cases and lack of confirmed predicate crimes.

Intermediaries defrauded the Nepalese state treasury by inflating electronic passport procurement costs through variation orders exceeding 1.50 billion rupees, avoiding competitive tenders and transferring commissions offshore.

More than 250 complaints were filed to Nepals Asset Investigation Commission against high-ranking officials, covering assets spanning 2062/63 BS to 2082 BS fiscal years, including former prime ministers and government employees.

The Nepalese government was criticized for inaction on a widespread pre-IPO share scam involving illegitimate share sales at premium prices and alleged collusion within the Securities Board of Nepal.

Tulsi Adhikari, a TikTok influencer, was arrested in Thailand following an Interpol Red Notice and brought to Nepal facing fraud and money laundering charges related to defrauding Rs65.2 million.

Authorities uncovered a conspiracy involving former aviation chief Pradeep Adhikari, including threats and money laundering aimed at pressuring Nepals anti-corruption chief amid major infrastructure corruption probes.

A government commission found Nepal's cooperative sector in crisis due to financial irregularities, weak regulation, and lack of coordination among government levels affecting governance.

Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau directed the Securities Board of Nepal to freeze shares and gather investment details of 56 individuals linked to an investigation under the Securities Act involving Deepak Bhatt.