Two individuals have been arrested in Darchula on charges of forging documents to illegally claim an agricultural subsidy, police said.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prakash Dahal, the arrestees are Deepakraj Bista, head of the Agriculture Department of Shailyashikhar Municipality, and Janak Singh Dhami, a veterinary technician. Janak Singh is also the son of the municipality’s mayor, Vijay Singh Dhami.
The duo allegedly sent a fake letter to Global IME Bank’s Gokuleshwar branch, falsely claiming that Manju Dhami (secretary) and Janaki Dhami (treasurer) of a local farmers’ group had died. The letter was sent to authorize changes in bank signatories in order to access a grant amounting to Rs. 220,000 under the “Walnut Pocket Area” agricultural program.
DSP Dahal confirmed that a formal complaint was filed against them under charges including document forgery, fraud, and criminal breach of trust. They were arrested on Wednesday, and a seven-day extension has been granted for further investigation.
