Joint Press Statement: Strong Condemnation of Criminal Attack on Jyoti Bikas Bank Employees
16th December 2025, Kathmandu
The Development Bankers Association Nepal (DBAN), the umbrella organization representing all national-level and regional-level development banks in the country, has expressed its deepest concern and serious condemnation regarding a violent criminal attack on the employees of Jyoti Bikash Bank Limited. The incident, which took place on December 10, involved staff from the bank’s Bardibas Regional Office who were performing their professional duties at the premises of a borrower, Saptakoshi Integrated Agro Farm Private Limited, under the Rupani Branch.
Joint Press Statement
According to the official statement, the bank employees were visiting the firm to engage in a professional dialogue regarding the regularization of overdue loan installments. However, the situation escalated into a severe criminal offense when the directors of the borrowing firm, along with their family members and associates, reportedly forcibly detained the employees. During this unlawful detention, the staff members were subjected to planned physical abuse and psychological trauma, an act that the association describes as a grave violation of human rights and professional safety.
Systematic Condemnation of the Incident and Rising Lawlessness
The association strongly condemns this pre-meditated criminal act, emphasizing that it specifically targeted bank employees who were carrying out their official and lawful responsibilities. Banks and financial institutions in Nepal operate under a strict regulatory framework established by Nepal Rastra Bank. They are tasked with the essential roles of deposit collection, loan disbursement, and the provision of various financial services that are vital for the broader benefit of the public and the overall development of the national economy.
The Development Bankers Association noted with extreme regret that there has been a recent surge in lawless activities directed against banks and financial institutions. This trend of targeted violence and intimidation poses a direct and serious threat to two critical pillars of the financial system: the security of public deposits and the professional morale of bank employees. While the recovery of loans is a fundamental and statutory responsibility of any financial institution, the primary objective is always the safeguarding of the depositors’ money. Subjecting employees to inhumane treatment and physical harm during routine loan collection or collateral auction processes is highly alarming. Such incidents undermine public confidence in the entire banking sector and create an environment of fear that hinders the effective delivery of financial services.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance Versus Mob Mentality
The association firmly emphasizes that banks in Nepal are bound by legal procedures for every aspect of their operations, including loan collection, dispute resolution, and collateral management. If an individual or a borrowing entity is dissatisfied with a bank’s procedures or feels that they have been treated unfairly, there are formal, lawful channels available to them. These include filing formal complaints with the central bank or taking legal action through the court system.
However, taking the law into one’s own hands, as observed in this recent incident, is completely unacceptable and fundamentally criminal. The attack was reportedly intended to use physical harm as a tool to threaten and coerce the bank into abandoning its legal rights. Such acts directly obstruct the use of the legal rights granted to banks under national regulatory frameworks. The association stresses that without prompt and decisive legal action against the perpetrators, the security of the financial sector will remain compromised, and employee confidence will continue to erode.
A Direct Call for Government and Police Action
A particularly concerning aspect of this case, as highlighted by the association, is the lack of an immediate legal response. Despite the incident being reported to the authorities on the same day it occurred, there were reportedly serious lapses by the local police authorities in providing protection or initiating an investigation.
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The Development Bankers Association Nepal is formally calling for several urgent measures from the government:
Immediate Investigation and Prosecution: There must be a swift and thorough investigation into the events that transpired at Saptakoshi Integrated Agro Farm, followed by the rigorous prosecution of all individuals involved in the physical assault and unlawful detention.
Prevention of Recurrence: Government and security agencies must implement measures to ensure that such organized attacks on financial professionals do not recur in other parts of the country.
Proactive State Intervention: The association demands rapid and proactive action by government authorities to maintain the rule of law, even in instances where a formal complaint might be delayed due to the duress faced by the victims.
Protection of the Financial Sector: There is an urgent need for the state to reaffirm its commitment to protecting bank employees and maintaining law and order within the financial sector, as it is a critical component of national security and economic stability.
Public Appeal for Responsibility and Cooperation
In conclusion, DBAN urges all members of the public to remain vigilant and responsible. The association calls on citizens to avoid participating in or supporting any unlawful activities or movements targeting banks and financial institutions. Maintaining a safe, secure, and law-abiding environment is essential for the effective functioning of the country’s banking sector and the protection of the public’s hard-earned savings. This statement reflects the association’s firm stance against criminal acts and its dedication to fostering a culture of legal compliance and professional security across Nepal.
For More: Joint Press Statement
