Law enforcement authorities in Kathmandu have taken 16 individuals into custody for allegedly interfering with public service delivery at various transport management offices. The arrests were made following reports that middlemen were causing unnecessary distress to citizens by claiming they would facilitate the renewal of vehicle registration certificates, commonly known as "bluebooks."
Operating under the guise of service providers, these individuals were reportedly creating obstacles for legitimate service seekers at transport hubs. Acting on specific intelligence, police teams conducted raids on March 31, 2026 (2082/12/17), leading to the apprehension of suspects from two major locations. During the operation, officials recovered 122,000 rupees in cash and seized 53 vehicle registration documents.
The crackdown was executed by two separate police circles. The Swayambhu Police Circle arrested eight individuals from the Sano Bharyang transport office, while the Thankot Police Circle detained another eight from the Gurjudhara area. The arrested group includes men and women from various districts, ranging in age from 18 to 60 years.
This police intervention highlights a broader effort to eliminate unauthorized middleman activity that plagues government service centers. Currently, all 16 detainees are being held as authorities conduct a thorough investigation into the extent of their operations and potential legal violations regarding the obstruction of public services.
