French National Found in Pashupatinath Area Handed Over to Immigration, Nepal Police Clarifies

Nepal Police has said that a French national found in the Pashupatinath area has been handed over to the Department of Immigration for further procedures, urging the public and media not to circulate unverified claims surrounding the incident.

According to police officials, the foreign national had been living in Nepal for the past six years. Preliminary information suggests that he had left his belongings, including personal items, at a hotel after facing financial difficulties.

Police clarified that several misleading claims had surfaced on social media suggesting that the individual had been robbed or abandoned in the Pashupatinath area. However, authorities said there is no verified evidence supporting those allegations, and the matter appears to have been misrepresented online. This aligns with broader recent efforts by Nepal’s immigration authorities to more closely monitor foreign nationals and visa compliance.

The individual was later taken under official custody and handed over to immigration authorities so that his stay status and related legal matters could be reviewed under existing immigration procedures.

Nepal Police has specifically appealed to the public, social media users, and online news pages to avoid spreading unconfirmed or sensational content, warning that such misinformation can negatively affect Nepal’s international image and create unnecessary confusion among tourists and residents.

The incident has also drawn attention because the Pashupatinath temple area remains one of Nepal’s most visited religious and tourist destinations, making accurate public communication especially important in matters involving foreign visitors.

Officials said the case is being handled through the proper legal channel, and any verified updates will be shared through official police and immigration sources.