KATHMANDU: On Friday, March 28, widespread looting occurred during a pro-monarchy demonstration.
Amid the chaos, opportunists took advantage of the situation, stealing mobile phones, laptops, and cash from a burning house in Tinkune.
Similarly, food, clothing, and groceries were looted from the Bhatbhateni Superstore in Koteshwor.
Professional thieves blended into the crowd, but even individuals who would normally hesitate to touch someone else’s belongings were swept up in the looting frenzy that day.
According to police reports, locals and small shopkeepers near the Bhatbhateni store were involved in the theft. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify more individuals responsible.
How the looting unfolded
Protesters stormed into the store, vandalizing property and discarding goods. As panic spread, people started grabbing items based on their personal needs and desires.
Some left carrying bottles of whiskey and beer, while others walked away with crates of tomatoes.
Regarding the legal consequences of looting, Section 286 of Chapter 26 of the Criminal Code 2074 strictly prohibits theft and robbery.
A viral image showed a woman clutching clothes and a bag of bread, while a seemingly well-dressed man—wearing a waist coat—was spotted carrying a few apples and oranges.
However, those who indulged in petty greed are now facing the consequences, as many have been arrested.
The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has taken the looters into custody and publicly revealed their identities.
Shame of being caught
Those arrested seemed to awaken from a daze, shocked that they had been caught. Many justified their actions by saying they had merely picked up items scattered on the floor during the riot. However, the reality has hit them hard.
Adding to their troubles, photos and videos of the looting have gone viral on social media, exposing their actions for all to see. People who spent a lifetime building their social reputation now find it tarnished overnight.
Even their families, relatives, and friends are shaming them. Online, people from their hometowns and even those who share their last names are ridiculing them.
A fleeting moment of greed has left them with a lifelong stigma. Some now fear that even their children will bear the label of “thief.”
Digital age leaves no hiding place
This is an era of advanced technology, where even those struggling financially have access to mobile phones and the internet.
Surveillance cameras (CCTV) are now common in public and private spaces, making it nearly impossible to commit crimes unnoticed.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Angur GC from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office stated that social media and CCTV footage played a crucial role in tracking down the culprits.
“Videos of the looters surfaced on TikTok. We monitored all the footage available online and identified individuals using CCTV cameras installed on the streets,” said spokesperson GC.
Investigation continues
Authorities are now utilizing multiple methods to confirm the identities of suspects seen in TikTok videos and CCTV recordings. They have even started gathering information from neighbors and relatives.
“We have expanded our investigation beyond the police force,” GC added. “We are receiving tips from acquaintances of the looters. Our teams have been deployed in areas like Tinkune, Bhatbhateni, and Jadibuti. Some individuals were even seen stealing laptops from a burning house. When police attempted to stop them, they fled, but arrests are now being made.”
Crime born from chaos
SP GC emphasized that those arrested were not habitual criminals. “These individuals are not professional thieves. They got caught up in the chaos of the moment. When they saw others taking goods, they joined in without thinking about the consequences,” he explained.
“They likely assumed that taking a few apples, liquor bottles, or clothes wouldn’t be a serious crime. Some even consumed the stolen goods, which made them feel secure and less inclined to flee. That overconfidence made it easier for us to catch them.”
With increasing surveillance and digital tracking, one thing is clear—there is no hiding in the age of technology.
Those found guilty of looting may face up to three months in prison, a fine equivalent to 25% of the stolen property’s value, or both. Additionally, the law mandates that perpetrators compensate the victims for the stolen goods.
SP GC emphasized that safeguarding others’ property is a fundamental duty of every citizen, especially during times of crisis.
He stated that being part of a crowd does not justify destructive actions and that neither public nor private property should be damaged.
He condemned the mentality of taking advantage of chaotic situations, questioning whether people had forgotten their responsibilities.
On Friday, two different groups staged demonstrations in Kathmandu. One was led by Durga Prasai under the banner of the ‘National, Nationality, Religion, Culture, and Citizen Protection Mahaabhiyan,’ while the other was organized under the name ‘United People’s Movement Committee for the Restoration of the Monarchy.’
Regarding the legal consequences of looting, Section 286 of Chapter 26 of the Criminal Code 2074 strictly prohibits theft and robbery.
According to sub-section (1), no individual is allowed to steal or seize property that does not belong to them, whether it is personally owned, entrusted, or under someone else’s control.
Those found guilty of looting may face up to three months in prison, a fine equivalent to 25% of the stolen property’s value, or both. Additionally, the law mandates that perpetrators compensate the victims for the stolen goods.
These legal provisions serve as a reminder that no matter the circumstances, looting is a criminal offense, and those involved must take responsibility for their actions.
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