A joint team of security forces and customs officials seized 8,150 kilograms of green peas worth Rs 733,500 from a warehouse in Bara district, Madhesh Province, on Friday, October 2, 2026. The warehouse owner, Sachidananda Rauniyar, claims the goods were legally purchased and alleges political prejudice behind the seizure.
The team, comprising personnel from the Armed Police Force (APF) and the Birgunj Customs Office, Parsa, raided the Rauniyar Galla Tatha Khadyanna Bhandar warehouse in Pakadiya, Pacharauta Municipality-6, Bara, acting on a tip-off. Armed Police Force Nepal Madhesh Province Chief DIG Bishnu Bhatta stated the seized peas, packed in 163 sacks, are valued at Rs 733,500. The confiscated goods have been handed over to the Birgunj Customs Office for further action. Armed Police Force spokesperson Bikrammani Adhikari said the customs office would verify the legality of the purchase and storage through document examination.
Rauniyar, the owner of the warehouse, insists that the seized green peas were legally acquired and stored. He stated that he possesses all necessary documents, including purchase bills and VAT bills. Expressing strong objection to the seizure despite having valid paperwork, Rauniyar alleged that the tip-off was politically motivated. He has demanded an impartial examination of all his purchase and VAT bills and other relevant documents. If the documents are proven valid, Rauniyar has urged the concerned authorities to return the seized peas in accordance with the law.
Government restrictions on pea imports
Nepal has quantitative restrictions on pea imports. The government initially banned the import of items like peas, black pepper, dates, betel nuts, and alcohol in Chait 2076 (BS). While the ban was lifted in Falgun 2077 (BS), a quota system allowing the import of 80,000 metric tons of peas annually was introduced. However, Nepal Rastra Bank, the central bank, reimposed a ban on peas, betel nuts, dates, and unground black pepper in Asoj 2078 (BS). This ban was again lifted in Kartik 2078 (BS), reinstating the 80,000 metric ton quota for the current fiscal year. Since Saun 2079 (BS), there has been no legal import of dried peas into Nepal, leading to market shortages and price increases. The government permits the import of peas as raw material for industrial purposes, subject to procedures outlined in the ‘Procedure for Regulating the Import of Betel Nuts, Peas, and Black Pepper as Raw Materials for Productive Industries, 2078’. This is not the first such incident; in Saun 2077 (BS), 11 quintals of peas worth Rs 70,000 were seized in Bara.
Customs to investigate legality
Police have stated that it is premature to conclude whether the import, purchase, and storage of the seized green peas were lawful. The Birgunj Customs Office, Parsa, will now thoroughly examine all documents related to the seized peas, including purchase and VAT bills. The customs office will also investigate the source of the peas and details concerning their import. A definitive conclusion on whether the peas were legally stored or if a customs offense has occurred will only be reached after this comprehensive examination.
The legality of the purchase and VAT bills claimed by the businessman is yet to be confirmed, and the veracity of his accusation of “political prejudice” remains unverified. The ultimate purpose for which the green peas were stored in the warehouse, and whether their import and storage were lawful, are still subject to investigation.
