KATHMANDU, May 16: Police have arrested a 22-year-old youth in the capital for allegedly impersonating an official from the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM) to threaten a local government employee.
The suspect, identified as Prakash Khadka, was taken into custody from Shankhamul, Kathmandu, on Saturday. According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Thapa, chief of the District Police Range Kathmandu, a formal investigation has been launched, and legal proceedings are underway. Khadka is a permanent resident of Birendranagar Municipality-6, Surkhet.
The arrest follows a widely circulated audio recording on social media, in which Khadka is heard telephoning Kamal Bhandari, the Ward Secretary of Dullu Municipality-13 in Dailekh. In the viral clip, Khadka falsely claims to be calling from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and uses highly abusive and unprofessional language to intimidate the civil servant.
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The OPMCM issued a sharp response following public outrage over the incident, stating that it has taken the matter seriously.
On Saturday, PMO Spokesperson Hemraj Aryal issued a press statement confirming that security and investigative agencies were immediately directed to take strict legal action against the suspect.
The statement emphasized that Prime Minister Balendra Shah remains firmly committed to maintaining good governance, upholding the rule of law and ensuring the professional security and morale of civil servants. The government reiterated that anyone undermining the rule of law will face strict legal consequences.
Furthermore, the PMO has urged the public to remain vigilant against individuals misusing the name of the Prime Minister, the PMO, or the secretariat for personal gain, extortion or undue influence.
The ordinary public have been advised to report any such suspicious activities or coercive phone calls to the nearest law enforcement agency or the PMO directly, and to verify official communications through formal channels.
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