KATHMANDU: Five Indian nationals have been detained in Kathmandu for engaging in daylight theft while posing as garbage collectors.

The individuals taken into custody include Bikash Podar, originally from Mohadinagar, Samastipur district, India, currently residing in Tilganga, Kathmandu; Jitendra Podar from Barauni, India; Bhailal Podar from Budhupur, Baisali, India; Sanjay Podar from Samastipur district, India; and Manju Devi Podar from Samastipur, India.

The arrests stem from an incident on February 11 when the group allegedly broke into the residence of Dilmaya Ale Magar in Makalbari, Gokaneshwar Municipality-4, Kathmandu, taking advantage of the absence of the occupants.

One of the accused, Bikash Podar, was arrested by the police in Jadibuti on Wednesday in connection with the incident.

Investigations revealed that Bikash was also implicated in other thefts, including the burglary of Dinesh Ghimire’s residence in Budhanilkanth Municipality-10 on February 7, where gold and cash totaling Rs 25 lakhs were stolen.

Additionally, Bikash was allegedly involved in another theft on January 11, stealing gold and silver jewelry along with cash from the home of Gita Rai in Gokaneshwar-3.

The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office said that additional individuals linked to these crimes have been arrested and transferred to the Bauddha Police Station for further interrogation and legal proceedings.