Major Diamond Seizure at India-Nepal Border: Two Arrested
Significant Operation by Border Intelligence Team
Representational Image
Kolkata, July 17: In a significant operation, the Border Intelligence Team (BIT) from the 41Bn Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in Ranidanga successfully seized three diamonds suspected to be of foreign origin and arrested two individuals near the India-Nepal border on Thursday.
According to a senior SSB official, the operation took place during a routine inspection at New Mechi Bridge around 4:25 PM. A Maruti Suzuki WagonR with registration number WB-73L4869, traveling from India to Nepal, was halted for checks. The vehicle contained two occupants, and upon scanning and searching their luggage, three diamonds were discovered hidden in one passenger's bag.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Purna Kumar Tamang, aged 69, from Lalitpur in Bagmati Province, Kathmandu, Nepal, and Sujit Lohar, aged 31, from South Stationpara, Rathkhola, Bhimaram, Naxalbari, in West Bengal's Darjeeling district. Tamang was a passenger, while Lohar was the driver.
During a joint interrogation with an Intelligence Bureau representative, Tamang confessed that the diamonds were his property. He revealed that he was born in Hong Kong but holds Nepali citizenship, possessing both an expired Nepali passport (No. 3083805) confirmed by the Nepali Consulate in Hong Kong and a valid Nepali passport (No. 11614848). Additionally, he has a permanent resident card from Hong Kong, which does not serve as proof of citizenship. Tamang mentioned that he entered India from Nepal on June 21, 2026, and had been residing in Sikkim.
When questioned about the legal documentation for the diamonds, Tamang failed to provide any bills or invoices to validate their acquisition and ownership.
The two suspects, along with the diamonds and their vehicle, have been transferred to the Customs Office in Panitanki for further investigation and legal proceedings.
Authorities are currently examining Tamang's background and tracking his activities in Sikkim since his entry into India. Investigators are also working to ascertain the source of the diamonds.
"If necessary, we will coordinate with the authorities in Nepal and Hong Kong to understand the nature of his business and the reason for transporting unaccounted diamonds from India to Nepal," the official stated.
This incident follows the apprehension of two Sikkim residents at the India-Nepal border, who were found with Rs 9.74 lakh in unaccounted Indian currency while traveling in an SUV to Nepal.