Money laundering probe widens to include inspector Gurung’s boyfriend in APF School fraud case

A money laundering investigation has expanded to include an inspector and her boyfriend arrested for embezzling funds from the Armed Police Force (APF) School in Kirtipur. Inspector Kalpana Gurung, the school's chief accountant, and her boyfriend, Lila Bahadur Lama, are now facing charges of money laundering.

Initially investigated for fraud, the probe intensified after uncovering large-scale embezzlement. The District Police Range in Kathmandu initiated the money laundering investigation following a report from APF Headquarters about financial irregularities. During the investigation, police discovered that Gurung had transferred school funds to Lama. Authorities have seized two vehicles registered in Lama's name and identified a house and land also registered to him, raising suspicions that these assets were acquired using the embezzled money.

SP and spokesperson Pawan Kumar Bhattarai stated that a third vehicle is also registered under Lama's name, though it has not yet been seized. While police suspect the assets were bought with stolen funds, Lama reportedly claims he owned them before the embezzlement occurred. Inspector Gurung has allegedly admitted to depositing school funds into her personal account and then giving them to Lama. No embezzled funds have been found in her name.

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We have seized two vehicles registered in Lila Bahadur’s name and brought them to our office. A house and land have also been found.

"Accountant Gurung has said she gave all the money to Lila Bahadur. Vehicles, a house, and land have been found in the lover’s name," SP Bhattarai said. More than 100 million rupees are reportedly embezzled. The investigation is ongoing, with SSP Dilip Ghimire noting that determining the exact amount will take more time.

Further checks revealed that Lama has been named in six previous criminal cases, including a banking offense in 2022, a citizenship case in 2005, and multiple theft cases between 2004 and 2005. Despite this record, Gurung allegedly funneled school money to him. Lama has also reportedly been operating a travel agency recently. Police are continuing their investigation after seizing two of his vehicles.

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Accountant Gurung has said she gave all the money to Lila Bahadur. Vehicles, a house, and land have been found in the lover’s name.