Police arrest gang involved in stealing transformers in Koshi Province

Since mid-January (Magh), police have arrested a gang involved in stealing transformers from Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts. In total, 22 transformers were stolen — 8 in Morang, 12 in Sunsari, and 2 in Jhapa.

Police have arrested 12 people in connection with the case — 7 suspected of stealing the transformers and 5 accused of buying the stolen parts. The gang mainly targeted transformers kept in remote areas or used for agricultural purposes.

According to Koshi Province Police Office, the suspects involved in theft include:

• Arjun Kumar Majhi (42), Irja Dhami (31) – Morang
• Anuj Bishwas (35), Prayag Kumar Khan (39), Alam Miya (34) – Sunsari
• Arjun Chaudhary (26), Ranjit Tamang (27) – Morang

Those arrested for buying the stolen parts include:

• Lakshya Pradhan (53), Krishnagopal Tamrakar (62) – Biratnagar
• Yogesh Agrawal (32), Kapil Bhatt (31) – Sunsari
• Sitaram Rai (39) – Itahari

The gang is accused of stealing transformers worth around Rs 20 million.

Police also seized tools used in the theft, including 22 dial wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, and metal-cutting tools. Six motorbikes used by the group were also recovered.

The investigation began after one suspect, Arjun Kumar Tharu, was caught while attempting to steal a transformer in Rangeli Municipality-9, Morang, on July 25(Shrawan 9). Following his arrest, a joint team from the provincial and district police tracked down the entire group.