Parashuram Basnet, who has been absconding for two weeks after engineering two consecutive attacks, on notorious jailbird Abhishek Giri at the District Court premises and on Republica reporter Khilanath Dhakal, is believed to have accumulated property worth hundreds of millions illegally, especially over the last four years, thanks to political protection for his crimes. [break]
The 34-year-old from Dolakha has arrived at this mysterious affluence concurrently with numerous criminal cases to his credit. His very name is dreaded here because he has never been prosecuted for any wrongdoing. His group now has a finger in every worthwhile financial transaction, both public and private, and they ensure their stake by hook or by crook.
Basnet´s group operates in four layers, including a women´s taskforce. Each strata looks out for transactions pertaining to its respective ´level´. They have a list of businesses: realty transactions, government contracts, operation of smuggling channels, control of auctions, and extortion.
Officials and others in the know interviewed by Republica said Basnet´s group should have accumulated around 1 billion through their sway over financial activities not only in Morang district but across the eastern Tarai.
Three major land plotting projects in Inaruwa Municipality of Sunsari district and Jhorahat and Jamuna Gachhi VDCs in Morang have been identified under Basnet´s ownership. He has bought several private buildings in the names of his aides. He reportedly invested in real estate the money gained through smuggling channels.
Most of the realty deals have involved threats and coercion against property owners. The purchase of a bungalow belonging to a doctor became the talk of the town last year as Basnet´s group coerced the poor man into selling the swanky edifice for less than 30 percent the expected price. The house is now registered in the name of Mukesh Budathoki, Basnet´s chief aide. Budathoki himself is now being treated at a local hospital under police custody, as an accused in the court attack case.
"Hardly anybody now dares to sell property without taking him or his men into confidence," said a local who recently sold a valuable plot and give 10 percent to Basnet´s group as commission.
Contract hijacker
A prominent contractor told Republica that his company has given Basnet at least Rs 120 million over the last few years for helping him secure lucrative contracts. "There are many contractors who have no choice but to keep him happy," he said.
Basnet´s group has been dictating to the entire contract bidding scene in the eastern Tarai-and lately even in hill districts like Bhojpur and Okhaldhunga. He has been seizing control of almost all contracts awarded to the private sector by government agencies including District Development Committee, District Irrigation Office, Department of Roads and Buildings Department.
Interviews with several construction entrepreneurs corroborate estimates that the wealthiest ´don´ of the country has already laid hands on a budget of over Rs 2 billion. "He literally decides who is to be awarded a given contract," said a construction entrepreneur.
Basnet established his hegemony over construction contracts after a former friend and notorious gangster Abhishek Giri was arrested on a murder charge two years ago. By then, the two had already fallen out over the sharing of commissions--worth Rs 2.5 million-for two contracts concerning a bridge in Dharan and a road in Rangeli VDC. Basnet´s continued feuding with Giri has been attributed to fears that his monopoly would end once the jailbird comes out.
According to sources, a district level CPN (UML) leader, during a stint in the District Construction Entrepreneurs Association, helped Basnet crucially in establishing his control over the contract business.
Illicit trade
Basnet made his first big money--around 3.2 million--some eight years ago from wood smuggling in collusion with the Maoists who had been prohibiting timber trade from community forests citing the insurgency. The cabbie-turned-gangster had approached them with a lucrative idea.
"He used that money to form his group and to develop ties with political leaders," said a former partner who declined to be named.
Between 2060 and 2063 BS, Basnet was used by the underground Maoists as an informant and supplier of arms. "He used to transport arms from India to Nepal," said a Maoist leader. Basnet established himself as a most notorious gangster by fighting YCL cadres after People´s Movement-2 and he sealed his notoriety further during the Madhesi agitation as his group was successful in combating the agitators.
For his most reliable income source, Basnet is said to have been working with one Ashikar Miya, who operates the entire range of smuggling activities from Jogbani to Biratnagar. He reportedly associated himself with Miya some three years ago as a Youth Force commander.
Properties not questioned
Parul Chhetri, a UML district committee member, challenges the legitimacy of property amassed by Basnet. "The government should probe his assets," he said. "Unless undue means are involved, a cabbie cannot earn that much within a few years."
Chhetri alleges that Basnet has been living his life of crime and wealth under direct protection from political leaders including those of his own party. "He has bought them vehicles and buildings and supports them financially in whatever way possible," he said.
"A simple property probe by the government is enough to end the anarchy he presides over," he added.
A clever and seemingly humble individual, Basnet has already turned toward laundering his riches through wider investments. He had major share in ´Nepal Bazzar´ supermarket under construction at Mahendra Chwok. He has also invested in schools and hotels. He has leased out some buildings.
Diversification of his property has engaged his top aides like Mukesh Budathoki, Manoj Khadka and Suman Kuinkel.
Basnet has reportedly kept a major chunk of his assets under the ownership of his two wives. During his stint in the city as a cabbie some 12 years ago, Basnet was much talked about for abducting a school girl and marrying after subjecting her and her family to pressure.
Strong voice against political protection
With rising public anger against Basnet, political figures here have mustered courage to flay their own party leaders for their covert links to him.
"I hereby claim that if Binod Dhakal, Amrit Aryal and Shiva Mandal, the district chiefs of the three major political parties-- CPN (UML), Nepali Congress and UCPN (Maoists)--stop protecting Basnet, the entire Basnet saga will end right away and he will surely be brought to justice," said Kedar Karki, district committee member of Nepali Congress and former central committee member of Nepal Students Union. He even claimed that Basnet had provided all three leaders regular funds as well as vehicles.
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