Asheshwar Yadav, a candidate of the Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal contesting from Siraha Constituency-3, has been arrested by police after cash was recovered from a vehicle during the election silence period.
According to the District Police Office, Siraha, Yadav was detained along with four other individuals during a security check conducted shortly after midnight on Tuesday. Deputy Superintendent of Police Ramesh Pal said the group was taken into custody at around 12:30 a.m. during a joint police inspection at Shivchowk in Siraha.
Police had stopped a vehicle with registration number Pra. 2–02–001 Cha 087, which was traveling from the Madar area near the Nepal–India border toward the Siraha district headquarters.
Cash Recovered During Police Check
During the inspection, police recovered Rs 487,000 in cash from the vehicle. Police also reported that ballot papers were found inside the vehicle, and an investigation is ongoing.
Those detained include Asheshwar Yadav, Shyam Kumar Yadav, Rampravesh Yadav, Birendra Kumar Yadav, all residents of Bishnupur Rural Municipality-5, and the driver Jitendra Kumar Mahato.
Possible Legal Action Under Election Law
All five individuals are currently being held at the District Police Office in Siraha. Police said they are preparing to present them to the Office of the Chief Election Officer for further legal action.
Under Nepal’s Election Code of Conduct, candidates who violate regulations during the election silence period may face penalties under Section 23 of the Election Commission Act, 2017, which allows authorities to impose a fine of up to Rs 100,000 or annul a candidate’s nomination.
Police said further investigation into the incident is underway.
