Former Wife of Congress Leader Dhanraj Ordered to Appear in Court Within 21 Days
News Summary
Prepared after careful review.
- The Lalitpur District Court has issued a 21-day notice to Jyoti Gurung, who is involved in the Miterei Cooperative embezzlement case.
- Jyoti, the former wife of Nepali Congress leader Dhanraj Gurung, is accused of embezzling NPR 125 million from the cooperative.
- Bodhvikram Thapa, secretary of the cooperative, filed a complaint at the Central Investigation Bureau against Jyoti and four others.
May 24, Kathmandu — Jyoti Gurung, named in the Miterei Cooperative embezzlement case, has been served a 21-day notice by the Lalitpur District Court to present her response along with evidence.
Jyoti, aged 48, originally from Lamdanda Ward No. 2, Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality, Syangja, currently residing in Thasikhel, Ward No. 14, Lalitpur Metropolitan City, is the former wife of Congress leader Dhanraj Gurung.
The court’s notice mentions her explicitly as “wife of Dhanraj Gurung” with a multigenerational identity description.
The notice states that Bodhvikram Thapa filed a transaction case against Jyoti. The district court annulled the previously issued deadline and in accordance with the Order dated Jestha 5, 2083 B.S., has issued a 21-day notice under Section 105, Subsection 22 of the Muluki Civil Procedure Code, 2074 B.S.
The notice published in Gorkhapatra instructs: “From the date this notice is published, you are requested to appear in this court within 21 (twenty-one) days, either personally or through a legal representative, submitting a reply letter along with supporting evidence.”
The notice further warns that failure to appear within the stipulated time will lead to legal proceedings in absentia and no further complaints will be entertained.
Case Details
The Miterei Cooperative was established by former soldiers who served in the British and Indian armies, headquartered at Mahalaxmi, Ward No. 5, Lalitpur Metropolitan City.
Secretary Bodhvikram Thapa filed a complaint at the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) last Sunday against five individuals, including the general manager Jyoti Gurung, accusing them of embezzling NPR 125 million from the cooperative.
Jyoti Gurung, accused of embezzlement, is the former wife of Nepali Congress former vice-chairman Dhanraj Gurung. The couple married in 1994 (2051 B.S.). According to Dhanraj, he was only a regular member of the cooperative while Jyoti was employed there.
Jyoti had been associated with the cooperative since 2001 (2057 B.S.), initially participating as a savings collector. In 2013 (2070 B.S.), she became the treasurer and later was appointed general manager.
It is alleged that misappropriation of funds occurred after she took the role of general manager. Former employees Jyotibahadur Bhandari, Sujan Shakya, Hitman Thapa, and Prakash Thapa allegedly aided her, according to cooperative officials. Despite repeated requests to return the funds, Jyoti reportedly refused and absconded.