KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office has arrested seven individuals for allegedly operating a network that produced fake academic certificates for applicants selected under the United States Diversity Visa (DV) lottery.

The arrests were made after authorities confirmed that a Grade 12 academic certificate submitted to the U.S. Embassy in Kathmandu for DV visa processing was forged. The National Examination Board, Sanothimi, verified that the certificate was not genuine, police said.

According to investigators, the forged document was submitted by Kiran Singh Thakuri of Maghde Rural Municipality–7, Tanahun. Following the verification, police identified and arrested those involved in preparing and facilitating the fake certificates from various locations across Kathmandu.

All suspects were sent on Sunday to the District Police Range, Bhadra Kali, Kathmandu, for further legal proceedings. Superintendent of Police and Information Officer Rameshwar Karki said the use of forged documents for foreign travel purposes is a serious criminal offence and strict action will be taken against all those involved.

The arrested individuals include Kiran Singh Thakuri, 19, of Tanahun; Anil Sharma, 40, of Parbat; Laxman Basnet, 34, of Tarakeshwar, Kathmandu; Keshav Phuyal, 42, of Kakani, Nuwakot; Bishnu Pandey, 47, of Tadi, Nuwakot; Deepa Lawati, 43, of Kathmandu Metropolitan City–2; and Shobhakhar Khanal, 52, of Dhurkot, Gulmi.

Police said the suspects were arrested on Thursday and Friday from different parts of Kathmandu and that further investigation into the case is underway.