May 04, Kathmandu - The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has taken into custody Suresh Joshi, Chairman of Smart Telecom (Smart Cell). Joshi was arrested on Monday from Khursanitar in Kathmandu on charges related to fraud and criminal breach of trust.

According to SSP Shiva Kumar Shrestha of the CIB, Joshi faces serious allegations of deceiving the government property and engaging in unlawful activities.

Smart Cell, under Joshi’s leadership, had obtained a license from the Nepal Telecommunications Authority on Baisakh 2, 2070 BS, to operate basic telephone services. However, after failing to renew the license and settle billions of rupees owed to the government, the license was automatically canceled on Baisakh 3, 2080 BS.

Legal provisions stipulate that upon license cancellation, all assets, telecom infrastructure, structures, systems, and networks become the property of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority.  

Preliminary investigations suggest Joshi unlawfully managed these assets, which had come under government control, with dishonest intent, undermining the state's rights.

The police have detained Joshi after uncovering evidence of fraud and criminal breach of trust involving government-owned infrastructure and systems, with the intent of personal gain.  

The CIB is also investigating allegations that Joshi obstructed the authority’s efforts to protect and manage the assets under its control.