Nepal police raid on industrialist yields nothing, draws business ire

A lengthy police raid on the premises of prominent Biratnagar industrialist Prakash Mundada concluded without any seizures, sparking sharp criticism from the business community and raising questions about the intelligence behind the operation. Police spent five hours searching Mundada's residence and office on Monday.

Officials cited 'special intelligence' as the basis for the raid, which was personally led by Superintendent of Police Kabit Katawal and involved officers from multiple police units. Security personnel temporarily restricted access to surrounding areas during the extensive search, which lasted over five hours.

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The state itself has terrorised industrialists and businesspeople. Treating entrepreneurs as though they were terrorists is not only serious but also condemnable.

Despite the thorough search, police failed to recover any illegal cash, gold, documents, or other suspicious materials. The operation has fueled concerns among industrialists and traders, who argue that such raids, conducted without producing evidence, can damage the reputation of legitimate businesses and erode confidence in law enforcement.

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We received specific intelligence and carried out our duty accordingly. After thoroughly searching the house and office, nothing was found.

Pawan Sharada, Koshi Province chair of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, condemned the action, stating it further demoralizes the private sector amid existing economic difficulties. "The state itself has terrorized industrialists and businesspeople," Sharada said. "Treating entrepreneurs as though they were terrorists is not only serious but also condemnable."

SP Katwal defended the operation, asserting that police acted on specific, official intelligence. "We received specific intelligence and carried out our duty accordingly. After thoroughly searching the house and office, nothing was found," he stated, adding that similar searches are routine in criminal investigations. Industrialist Mundada, a former president of the Morang Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commented, "The police must have done what they believed was their duty. They searched our house but found nothing."

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The police must have done what they believed was their duty. They searched our house but found nothing.