KATHMANDU – Police have filed a case against three individuals in Thamel, Kathmandu, for allegedly harassing tourists and promoting drug and sexual activities, as part of the ‘Safe Thamel, “Jaaney Hoina?”‘ campaign.
The District Police Range Kathmandu, the police body for Kathmandu district, registered cases against Lucky Gurung, 20, from Kaski; Prabin Tamang, 23, from Gorkha; and Sanish Bhujel, 29, from Sindhuli. They face charges of inciting drug and sexual activities, as well as acting as middlemen in nightlife businesses, according to District Police Range Kathmandu spokesperson and Superintendent of Police Dan Bahadur Thapa.
The arrests were made on Thursday as part of the police’s intensified efforts in the Thamel area. Police initially detained 31 individuals from Thamel by 3 AM on Thursday. Following preliminary investigations, the involvement of Gurung, Tamang, and Bhujel was confirmed, leading to further investigation into charges of indecent behaviour.
The District Administration Office Kathmandu, the administrative body for Kathmandu district, has extended their remand by three days to facilitate further investigation. This comes as authorities aim to make Thamel a safe, orderly, family-friendly, and respectable area for 24-hour operation.
Ensuring a safe tourist environment
The ‘Safe Thamel, “Jaaney Hoina?”‘ campaign is part of efforts to enhance security in Nepal’s tourism sector. Thamel, known for its vibrant nightlife, shops, and restaurants, is a primary destination for foreign tourists. The campaign specifically targets individuals who disturb public order, incite drug and sexual activities, and operate as unauthorized middlemen in the nightlife industry.
The move to enhance security and regulate activities in Thamel follows a declaration by former Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane in 2081 BS to operate Thamel 24 hours a day. This vision was further supported by an agreement between the Thamel Tourism Development Council and the District Administration Office Kathmandu to collaborate on the 24-hour operation plan. In preparation for the Nepal Visit Year, Nepal Police had also increased its ‘night patrols’ in the Thamel area.
Legal framework and next steps
The legal basis for these actions is rooted in the Mulukhi Criminal Code, 2074, Section 118 (1), which prohibits indecent behaviour, assault, or harassment in public places. If found guilty of indecent behaviour, offenders could face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to Rs 10,000, or both.
Following the three-day remand granted by the District Administration Office Kathmandu, further investigations will proceed. Should the allegations of inciting drug and sexual activities be substantiated, additional charges and penalties under the Narcotic Drugs (Control) Act, 2033 may apply. The case could eventually be presented to the District Court for a final verdict.
However, several aspects of the ongoing investigation remain unclear. It is not yet known what additional evidence will emerge to support the allegations of inciting drug and sexual activities. Furthermore, the progress of the investigation after the three-day remand and the specific legal procedures that will follow are still to be announced. The status of the remaining 28 individuals initially detained by the police also remains undisclosed. Long-term solutions for effectively controlling activities that harass tourists in Thamel are also yet to be fully articulated.
