CBI arrests mastermind ‘Samir Basnet’ behind Gauchan’s murder

KATHMANDU, Dec 3: Nepal Police Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested the mastermind behind the murder of construction entrepreneur Sarad Kumar Gauchan.

A team of CBI arrested the mastermind Samir Man Singh Basnet, 32, from Chitwan on Saturday, said CBI chief DIG Pushkar Karki. Basnet was made public at a press conference in Kathmandu by the CBI.

Gauchan, chairman of the Federation of Contractors’ Associations of Nepal (FCAN) was shot to death in broad daylight at Kharibot Prayagmarg in New Baneswor, Kathmandu on October 9 while he was on his way to his office in Anamnagar.

According to the police, the findings of the preliminary investigation into the case shows that Kumar Shrestha (Ghainte) and Samirman Singh both had share in the Danfe Construction operated by Gauchan. Gauchan and Basnet had disputes over the share in the name of Ghainte following the latter’s death in police action in 2015. Gauchan had reportedly taken Rs 25 million from Ghainte, and Basnet had the claim that of the amount, Ghainte had borrowed Rs 10 million from him to invest in the construction company owned by Gauchan.

Basnet had also demanded 2 percent commission from Postal Highway construction contract from Gauchan.

But after Gauchan refused extortion of money and shares, Basnet masterminded his murder. The police have already arrested five persons in this connection.

The police have also claimed Basnet and his gang’s alleged involvement in the murder of Durga Tiwari, chairman of CPN-UML aligned Youth Association Nepal, Rupendahi chapter. Tiwari was shot to death in Rupendahi on December 19 last year. Likewise, police have suspected Basnet’s involvement in the shooting of gangster Dawa Lama at Divya Party Palace in Nayabasti area earlier this year in April.