Kathmandu — Yunus Ansari, previously jailed for running a counterfeit Indian currency racket, is now under investigation again. This time, it is for investing NPR 5 crore (50 million rupees) in National Television, which had its office in Chabahil, Kathmandu. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) is currently trying to find out where Yunus got the money from.
According to CIB SSP Hobindra Bogati, Ansari is being investigated under money laundering charges. He said, "There is no legal source for the 5 crore rupees Ansari invested in the television channel."
Officials involved in the investigation said that the source of funds used in National Television appeared to be illegal. The TV channel is now shut down, and one of Ansari’s partners in the business was Subheshwar Prasad Sah.
Records show that National Television has not submitted tax returns since 2067 BS (2010 AD). One official said, "Our investigation shows that Yunus Ansari invested money in the television channel which came from fake Indian currency operations."
After completing a 6-year jail sentence for counterfeit currency, Ansari was released on Jestha 10, 2081 BS. However, he was re-arrested immediately by the Bureau right after being freed from Nakkhu Jail.
Authorities are now analyzing Ansari's land properties, bank accounts, and financial dealings. Back on Jestha 10, 2076 BS, Yunus and 5 others were arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport, and police found fake Indian currency worth NPR 7.76 crore. The court sentenced him to 6 years in jail and imposed a fine of NPR 60,000.
During the current investigation, Ansari told the police that he received the investment amount from his father and his father’s friends. His father, Salim Miya Ansari, was a former Member of Parliament and Minister. Salim Miya passed away on Chaitra 28, 2071 BS.
Salim Miya had a long political career, starting from Nepal Communist Party (ML) and later becoming an MP twice and a Minister twice. Yunus told CIB officials, "I got money from my father and his friends to invest in the television business."
Investigators also found that Yunus owns 2 bighas of land in Chorni, Birgunj, and that he received NPR 1.25 crore as advance payment to sell the land in 2070 BS. However, despite receiving the money (through his wife’s bank account), he never transferred the land ownership, and the case eventually reached the court.
The land was purchased by Yunus in 2064 BS, before Nepal’s Anti-Money Laundering Act came into effect.
8 Bank Accounts, Around NPR 800,000 in Cash
Yunus has 8 different bank accounts, but only a small amount of money was found in them. According to SSP Bogati, "We are analyzing the account details after 2064 BS, but only about NPR 8 lakh in cash is currently seen across those accounts." All the accounts have been frozen by the police.
Ansari has been arrested four times so far — in 2067, 2070, 2076, and now in 2081. He has previously faced charges related to organized crime, drugs, and counterfeit currency. This time, he is facing a serious charge of money laundering.
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