Nepali Congress leader and former minister Deepak Khadka has been arrested. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested former minister Khadka this morning. Additional Inspector General of Police Manoj KC, chief of CIB, said Khadka was taken into custody from Budhanilkantha for investigation into a money laundering case. Images and videos had surfaced showing burnt fragments of banknotes at the residences of Khadka following the vandalism and arson on September 9, which was later confirmed through forensic laboratory tests.

 

Khadka was accused of receiving financial benefits in exchange for facilitating licences and contracts for Hydropower projects, with the alleged dealings taking place from within the minister’s quarters and the ministry premises. However, no investigation was carried out against him. Khadka was also implicated in the alleged misappropriation of land belonging to Nepal Scouts in Lainchaur.