Former Finance Minister and influential CPN-UML leader Bishnu Paudel has reportedly been arrested in Surkhet.
According to reports, Paudel was arrested directly from a program venue while he was gathering suggestions from party leaders and cadres in Surkhet as part of a UML party restructuring initiative.
After his arrest, Paudel was taken to the District Police Office in Surkhet. Sources from the Home Ministry informed Khoj Samachar that he was later transported to Nepalgunj and preparations are underway to bring him to Kathmandu today.
The arrest is reportedly linked to an ongoing money laundering investigation launched by the government. Authorities suspect that Paudel may have had connections with broker and businessman Deepak Bhatt, who was arrested earlier in the same investigation.
Earlier today, officials conducted a raid at Paudel’s residence in Bhainsepati, Kathmandu. Following the search operation, investigators reportedly concluded that further action against him was necessary.
According to information received by us, investigators did not find clear sources explaining certain land purchases and share transactions carried out by Paudel. As a result, he has reportedly been taken into custody for further investigation.
The government has already formed a powerful commission to investigate the assets of political leaders and government officials who have held public office since the 2006/07 political movement. At the same time, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation is conducting a separate inquiry under its own mandate.
The commission is reportedly also examining the assets of UML Chairman K.P. Oli, Maoist leader Prachanda, former Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana, as well as former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka.
Based on its investigations, the commission had previously obtained arrest warrants from the Kathmandu District Court against Sher Bahadur Deuba and Arzu Rana. However, those warrants were later annulled by the Supreme Court.
The possibility of more senior leaders from traditional political parties being arrested in money laundering cases appears to be increasing. Many critics argue that numerous politicians have accumulated vast wealth and luxurious lifestyles despite having no significant business or professional background other than politics.
Another major factor is the alleged connection with Deepak Bhatt, who has often been described as one of the country’s most influential brokers.
Bhatt is currently in judicial custody awaiting trial. It is alleged that many political figures worked with him in share trading, land transactions, and various government contract dealings.
Following Bhatt’s arrest, investigators have reportedly begun identifying additional VIP and VVIP individuals through his statements and the ongoing investigation.
