KATHMANDU: A major fraud case has been registered against 42 people, including former lawmaker Ichchha Raj Tamang.

The District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, registered a case of fraud against 42 persons in the District Court, Kathmandu, on Friday. The case involves the largest sum of money so far and many victims, the attorney’s office said.

A case has been registered in the court with a claim of Rs 5.67 billion. A total of 1,503 victims lodged a complaint with the police against the fraud. The government prosecutor’s office has filed a case against the 42 persons seeking punishment under the Civil Code, Civil Code, Organized Crime and Prevention Act.

Twelve people have been arrested so far in the case, one accused is dead and 29 are absconding, according to the indictment. Gopal Bahadur Shrestha, a member of the board of directors of the Civil Cooperative, died two years ago.

The 12 arrested are Civil Cooperatives and Credit Chairman Keshab Lal Shrestha, Bijaya Bikram Shah, Alina Tuladhar, Drut Raj Tamang, Kayshap Chetan Dhungana, Bhagwan Bahadur Singh, Sangit Shrestha, Shanker Prasad Pathak, Mayanani Maharjan, Rakesh Maharjan and Harihar Prasad Lamichhane and former chair of Civil Group Ichchha Raj Tamang.

29 more persons involved in the case are on the run.

The attorney’s office demanded compensation from the 42 persons, including Ichchha Raj Tamang, his wife Sirjana and the current and former members of the board of directors of the cooperative.