The department has been investigating against 39 individuals that were found either involved in illegal network marketing scam or facilitating operations of ULI. While 29 of them are presently under police detention, others have been freed on bail. [break]
“We will complete the investigation and file cases against them in two weeks,” said Shanta Bahadur Shrestha, director general of DRI, told the meeting of parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday.
PAC had summoned senior government officials to get details of actions launched by against the ULI, which lured some 375,000 Nepalis to join its financially unviable schemes and walked away with Rs 4 billion.
Although the government imposed ban on the company and issued arrest warrant against its promoters, the police have failed to nab its key persons, including Chairman Kashi (Prasad) Gurung and Managing Director Bishnu Chhetri.
The government has, nonetheless, filed a case against 34 senior representatives of ULI, including a director, at the Appellate Court.
As for the individuals presently under investigation, Shrestha said the DRI would file revenue evasion case against them as they had failed pay tax on their taxable income.
“We will also file a case of money laundering against the individuals that received hefty commission without due notice and tax clearance. We believe the money has been used in criminal activities,” said Shrestha.
Newly appointed Home Secretary Lila Mani Paudel, meanwhile, expressed concerns over the failure of the police to nab top brass of ULI.
“It is reality that they (Unity´s top brass) are still at large. But we can nab them for sure, provided that they do not get political protection,” Paudel told lawmakers.
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