Jyoti Bikas Bank, CBFIN Condemn Attack on Bank Employees in Saptari

Jyoti Bikas Bank and the Confederation of Banks and Financial Institutions Nepal (CBFIN) have strongly condemned the recent attack on the bank’s employees by individuals led by Rita Kumari Chaudhary, Deputy Mayor of Saptakoshi Municipality in Saptari, a district in Madhesh Province. 

The incident took place last week when directors of Saptakoshi Integrated Agro Firm Pvt. Ltd., a borrower at Jyoti Bikas Bank’s Rupani branch, requested a discussion regarding their loan repayments. Two employees from the bank’s Bardibas regional office visited the firm for the meeting. But, the employees were reportedly restrained, mistreated, and physically attacked by the firm’s directors, their family members, and associates.

According to Prakash Baral, information officer at Jyoti Bikas Bank, Deputy Mayor Chaudhary’s husband is one of the directors of the firm, and Chaudhary herself acted as a guarantor for the loan. “The company has failed to repay approximately Rs 40 million since last Chaitra [mid-March to mid-April 2025],” Baral said.

Baral further revealed that the employees were held in a bathroom on the firm’s premises for about four hours. “They were released only after receiving a written directive from the central office instructing the suspension of the loan recovery process,” he added, noting that the employees were threatened with death if the directive was not provided immediately.

In its statement, the bank described the incident as “planned, criminal in intent, and involving a sitting deputy mayor,” and confirmed that legal action has been initiated against those responsible.

CBFIN also denounced the attack, criticizing local security authorities for allegedly pressuring the bank to settle the matter without formally registering a complaint. “The attack on employees of a sensitive sector like banking not only affects their psychological well-being but also threatens the integrity of financial institutions,” CBFIN said, urging strict punishment for the perpetrators.

The organization emphasized that such acts are not merely personal or institutional matters but a direct challenge to the government. “Any attempt to harm banks’ assets, disrupt their business, or demean employees must be treated with utmost seriousness,” the statement said. 

CBFIN warned that illegal actions of this nature could have negative repercussions on the banking environment and the national economy.

CBFIN called on all relevant authorities — including federal, provincial, and local governments, as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs — to ensure the effective protection of banks, financial institutions, and their employees.