Banking News – Businessman Deepak Bhatta, who is in custody pending trial in a money laundering case, has been transferred from Nakkhu Prison in Lalitpur to Sindhupalchok Prison. According to the decision of the Department of Prison Management, Bhatta was sent to Sindhupalchok from Nakkhu Prison on Saturday evening. Dirgha Raj Upadhyay, Chief of Nakkhu Prison, confirmed that Bhatta was transferred based on a letter received from the Department.

Bhatta’s transfer is also being viewed in connection with the recent investigation linked to former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Jabara. In the preliminary investigation by police, it was stated that Bhatta’s contact was found with Inam Sapkota, who is said to be close to Jabara. Police had also taken Sapkota into custody and questioned him on the same matter.

According to police sources, investigation is ongoing regarding the matter of Bhatta and another businessman Sulabh Agrawal being in contact with Jabara through Sapkota. Police sources claim that during questioning with Sapkota, additional details were obtained about the relationship between Jabara, Bhatta, and Agrawal. However, the official reason for transferring Bhatta to Sindhupalchok Prison has not been made public. The prison administration has stated that the transfer was made under regular administrative procedure. Chief Upadhyay stated that Bhatta was sent to Sindhupalchok with necessary documents and records as per the Department’s directive.

An official of the Department of Prison Management has indicated that Bhatta’s transfer does not appear to be of a normal nature. According to him, information may have reached higher levels that while staying at Nakkhu Prison, he attempted to influence the case proceedings or maintain external contacts, and based on that, there is a suspicion that the transfer may have been made. However, the prison administration’s records state that Bhatta’s conduct was “normal.” The transfer letter also states that the transfer was made by completing necessary procedures as per the Department’s decision. Bhatta was previously at Dillibazar Prison. After being transferred from there to Nakkhu, he was again sent to Sindhupalchok within a short time, leading to various speculations regarding his prison transfer.

Cases related to money laundering, banking, and other financial offenses against Bhatta are pending in court. The Special Court had sent him to custody for trial in the money laundering case, while the Patan High Court had also ordered that he be kept in custody and the case hearing proceed in the banking offense case. Meanwhile, former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Jabara was taken into custody by police on Ashoj 11 citing security threats and released after some time. Since then, police have intensified investigation into individuals said to be in contact with Jabara and his contact network. It is stated that in the course of that investigation, contacts and activities linked to Bhatta are also being studied.