POKHARA: Police apprehended two individuals for allegedly threatening a businessman over the phone and demanding a substantial sum in Pokhara.

The suspects, identified as 42-year-old Laxman Darji and 42-year-old Deepak Bahadur Chhetri, were taken into custody from a location in Simlachaur.

Kaski Superintendent of Police, Man Kumar Thapa, stated that the arrests took place on Wednesday, with a subsequent press conference held on Thursday to announce the detention of Darji and Chhetri.

The victim, Prakash Dip Gaire, owner of Sachai Sewa Kendra in Pokhara Metropolitan City-16 Lamachaur and the central president of Sachai Kendra Nepal, reported the extortion attempt.

Darji and Chhetri allegedly demanded a staggering Rs 5 crore from Gaire through both phone calls and text messages.

During the press conference, Thapa disclosed that the perpetrators threatened to harm Gaire and his family if the demanded amount, initially communicated as Rs 50 million in Hindi language, was not paid.

Concerned for his safety, Gaire reported the threats to the police.

“In response to the complaint, a thorough investigation was initiated, leading to the arrest of the suspects and the seizure of the mobile phone and SIM card used in the threatening communication,” stated Thapa.