CAAN Stolen Office Equipment
17th September 2025, Kathmandu
In a surprising turn of events, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has issued a public notice appealing for the return of office property, including a significant amount of valuable ICT equipment, which was stolen or lost during the protests of Bhadra 24.
CAAN Stolen Office Equipment
The authority has confirmed that vandalism, arson, and widespread looting took place at its central office in Babarmahal and other civil aviation offices throughout the country, resulting in a substantial loss of assets.
The protests, which saw widespread unrest, have left many government offices counting the cost of the damage. For CAAN, the fallout is particularly acute, given the critical role technology plays in the regulation and management of Nepal’s aviation sector.
The list of stolen items reads like an inventory of a modern office’s tech infrastructure. According to the official statement from CAAN, the missing items include a wide range of devices vital for daily operations.
This includes numerous televisions, complete computer sets, computer monitors, laptops, hard disks of various sizes, scanners, printers, and headsets. The losses also extend to other crucial office equipment such as microwave ovens and a considerable amount of furniture.
The theft of these items poses a significant challenge for the authority. The loss of hard disks, in particular, raises concerns about data security and the potential for sensitive information to fall into the wrong hands.
While the statement does not specify if these hard drives contained confidential data, the possibility cannot be ruled out. This incident underscores the vulnerability of even state-run institutions to digital and physical theft during periods of civil unrest.
The replacement of such a large volume of ICT hardware will undoubtedly incur a substantial financial burden on the state and could disrupt the normal functioning of various departments within CAAN.
In a proactive move, CAAN has stated that it is currently undertaking a thorough review of CCTV footage from the various affected sites to identify the individuals involved in the vandalism and theft.
This investigation is expected to lead to the apprehension of those responsible. However, instead of immediately resorting to legal measures, the authority has taken the extraordinary step of offering an amnesty period for the return of the stolen goods.
The public notice explicitly requests that anyone who may have taken or received such items from the central or subordinate offices of CAAN should return them immediately.
The authority has provided multiple avenues for the safe and anonymous return of the stolen property. The items can be returned to the Kathmandu District Police Office, CAAN’s office located in Sinamangal, or the respective subordinate offices where the theft occurred.
For those located elsewhere, CAAN has also advised contacting the nearest police station to facilitate the return of the items. This approach suggests a focus on recovering the lost property rather than solely prosecuting the perpetrators, at least initially.
However, the plea is not without a stern warning. The notice makes it unequivocally clear that should the stolen property not be returned, CAAN will not hesitate to take strong legal action.
The authority has warned of severe legal consequences for those found in possession of the stolen goods. This dual approach of a plea for voluntary return alongside the threat of legal action reflects the seriousness of the situation. It aims to encourage the quick recovery of the valuable assets while also serving as a deterrent against similar acts in the future.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the widespread impact of civil unrest, extending beyond protests and demonstrations to the security of public property and data.
For a key institution like CAAN, which is responsible for the safety and management of Nepal’s air traffic, the loss of essential ICT equipment is a major setback. The coming weeks will show whether the public appeal yields results and how effectively the authority can recover from this significant setback.
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