Prosecution Of Armed Robbery In Nepalese Towns
🧾 1. Legal Framework in Nepal
Armed robbery in Nepal is primarily governed under the Muluki Criminal Code (2017):
Section 266 (Robbery) – Taking property from a person or place by force or threat of force.
Section 268 (Aggravated Robbery) – Use of weapons or presence of multiple perpetrators.
Section 269–272 (Criminal Conspiracy / Gang Robbery) – Punishment increases for organized or repeated offenses.
Punishments:
Imprisonment ranges from 5–15 years for armed robbery.
Fines proportional to the value of stolen property.
Confiscation of weapons and stolen items.
Urban and semi-urban towns in Nepal, such as Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Bhaktapur, are frequent sites for armed robberies due to commercial density and cash-based transactions.
⚖️ 2. Detailed Case Analyses
Case 1: Kathmandu Bank Armed Robbery (2017)
Facts:
A gang of six armed men entered a bank in central Kathmandu, threatened staff with firearms, and stole approximately NPR 2 million.
Legal Issues:
Armed robbery under Section 268.
Use of firearms and threats against multiple victims.
Prosecution & Outcome:
Police investigation included CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts, and tracing of getaway vehicles.
All six gang members were arrested within two weeks.
Convictions ranged from 8–12 years imprisonment with fines, and firearms were confiscated.
Significance:
Demonstrated the importance of technological evidence (CCTV) and coordinated police response in prosecuting urban armed robberies.
Case 2: Pokhara Jewelry Store Heist (2018)
Facts:
Three masked men entered a jewelry store in Pokhara, brandished weapons, and stole gold worth NPR 3.5 million. One staff member was injured.
Legal Issues:
Robbery with weapons (Section 268).
Infliction of bodily harm during commission of a robbery.
Prosecution & Outcome:
Fingerprint analysis on store surfaces linked the suspects.
Arrested suspects were convicted of armed robbery and attempted murder; sentences ranged from 7–10 years imprisonment.
Stolen jewelry recovered from pawn shops.
Significance:
Showed the integration of forensic evidence with investigative leads for successful prosecution.
Case 3: Biratnagar Cash Van Robbery (2019)
Facts:
A cash transport van was intercepted by four armed individuals on the outskirts of Biratnagar, who threatened guards and took NPR 5 million.
Legal Issues:
Armed robbery with use of force and weapons.
Organized gang activity.
Prosecution & Outcome:
Police conducted road block investigations and recovered part of the stolen cash.
All four suspects were convicted under Sections 268 and 269; prison sentences were 6–12 years.
Seized firearms and vehicles were confiscated.
Significance:
Demonstrated coordination between multiple police units for apprehending armed robbery gangs operating on transportation routes.
Case 4: Bhaktapur Convenience Store Robbery (2020)
Facts:
Two individuals, armed with knives, entered a convenience store in Bhaktapur, threatening staff and stealing cash and mobile phones.
Legal Issues:
Armed robbery (Section 268).
Threats of violence with weapons.
Prosecution & Outcome:
Eyewitnesses and mobile surveillance footage identified the perpetrators.
Convicted to 5–7 years imprisonment and fined for damages.
Items recovered from local pawn shops.
Significance:
Highlighted that even smaller-scale armed robberies in towns receive serious legal attention, with technology and community reporting assisting prosecution.
Case 5: Lalitpur ATM Robbery (2021)
Facts:
A gang of five individuals used firearms to threaten ATM maintenance staff and steal cash during late-night hours in Lalitpur.
Legal Issues:
Robbery with firearms (Section 268).
Aggravating factor: gang operation at night targeting a financial institution.
Prosecution & Outcome:
Forensic examination of firearms and CCTV led to identification.
Convictions: 8–12 years imprisonment; restitution ordered to the bank.
Police seized the stolen money and weapons.
Significance:
Demonstrated high-risk urban robberies against financial institutions are prioritized by law enforcement, with substantial penalties.
Case 6: Kathmandu Residential Arm Robbery (2022)
Facts:
Three armed men entered a private residence in Kathmandu, tied up family members, and stole cash and jewelry.
Legal Issues:
Armed robbery in a residential setting.
Threats and use of force (Sections 266, 268).
Prosecution & Outcome:
Investigation included fingerprints, CCTV from neighbors, and eyewitness testimony.
Suspects arrested and convicted; sentences ranged from 7–10 years imprisonment.
Restitution ordered for stolen property.
Significance:
Illustrated that urban armed robberies in residential areas are treated with severe sentences due to risk to life and property.
🧩 3. Key Observations
Use of firearms or knives significantly increases severity and sentences.
CCTV, forensic evidence, and eyewitnesses are critical for prosecution.
Organized gangs receive harsher punishment under Nepalese law.
Recovery of stolen property is emphasized and often pursued in parallel with imprisonment.
Urban towns like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Lalitpur face both commercial and residential armed robbery risks.
🏛️ 4. Conclusion
Prosecution of armed robbery in Nepalese towns relies on:
Prompt police investigations using forensic, technological, and testimonial evidence.
Establishing organized or premeditated criminal activity for enhanced sentencing.
Securing convictions beyond reasonable doubt using both direct and circumstantial evidence.
Confiscation of weapons and restitution of stolen property.
Courts in Nepal consistently impose significant imprisonment and fines for armed robbery to deter urban criminal networks.
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