Celebrity chef Santosh Kumar Shah, widely recognised for bringing Nepali cuisine to an international audience, has been arrested in connection with an alleged fraud and banking offence linked to the purchase of a restaurant in Kathmandu. The case has drawn attention not only because of Shah’s public profile but also because it places a celebrated figure from Nepal’s culinary scene under criminal investigation.
Police acted on an arrest warrant issued by the Kathmandu District Court and detained Shah from Janakpur in Dhanusha district on Friday night.
The Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office said the complaint stems from a financial dispute involving the acquisition of a restaurant located in Gairidhara. The complainant alleges that the full amount agreed upon during the transaction was not paid.
Investigators say the restaurant deal was valued at around Rs 13 million. A portion of that amount is claimed to remain unpaid, leading to allegations of fraud and violations of banking laws.
Police arrested Shah from Ramananda Chowk in Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City-8. Another individual, Narayan Sah Sudi of Siraha, has also been taken into custody in connection with the same case.
Investigation Continues
Both men have been sent to the Kathmandu District Police Range in Bhadrakali for further investigation.
Public holidays delayed the legal process, and police officials indicated that court proceedings related to the case will move forward on Monday.
At this stage, the allegations remain under investigation, and the case has not reached a judicial conclusion. The determination of criminal liability, if any, will depend on the outcome of the investigation and subsequent court proceedings.
A Familiar Face Beyond Nepal
Born in Karjanha of Siraha district, Shah rose to prominence through his efforts to showcase Nepali food on international platforms.
He gained widespread recognition after finishing as first runner-up in the 2020 season of MasterChef: The Professionals in the United Kingdom. His profile grew further a year later when he won MasterChef: The Professionals Rematch.
For many Nepalis, Shah’s success represented more than an individual achievement. His television appearances helped place Nepali ingredients and culinary traditions before a global audience at a time when Nepal’s food culture was receiving growing international interest.
That public image now sits alongside a criminal investigation whose outcome remains uncertain.
The arrest has become a major topic of discussion within Nepal’s hospitality sector and among followers of Shah’s career, as authorities continue examining the financial dispute at the centre of the case.
