A major security breach from last year has culminated in a significant law enforcement breakthrough as five individuals stand accused of possessing wildlife contraband looted directly from the head of state’s official residence. The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office revealed that the historic assets, taken during a period of intense public demonstrations, were severed into pieces and hidden across different urban locations.
The security apparatus at Sheetal Niwas, which remains under constant military protection, was compromised during the Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9. Demonstrators vandalized the presidential palace, setting fires and damaging institutional property. Amidst this chaos, two valuable elephant tusks exhibited on the mansion walls were stolen, a loss that went unresolved for nearly three quarters of a year.
Authorities disrupted the illicit distribution chain after receiving actionable intelligence regarding attempts to trade wildlife parts in the Manamaiju locality. Law enforcement operations first led to Rajib Maharjan’s property, where segmented tusks were found buried in an adjacent empty plot. Furthermore, a search of his residence uncovered 150 tablets of Tramadol, exposing a connection between wildlife trafficking and pharmaceutical drug abuse.
Subsequent interrogations exposed a wider network, leading to the apprehension of four additional accomplices who had distributed the fragmented artifacts among themselves. Some pieces were found concealed inside a sack near a window frame in a local apartment. The suspects, ranging from 20 to 27 years of age, originate from various districts including Gorkha and Baitadi but were operating within the capital city.
The detained individuals now face stringent legal consequences under multiple legislative frameworks. Police officials confirmed that formal procedures are underway to investigate the suspects under both the Narcotics Control Act and the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act. The recovered exhibits and the accused have been transferred to the District Police Range and the Division Forest Office for comprehensive prosecution.
