Court remands seven days custody to former FM Poudel; CPN-UML to Lodge Strong Protest Against the Arrest

Kathmandu / June 06: The Special Court has granted investigators permission to keep CPN-UML Vice Chair and former finance minister Bishnu Paudel in custody for seven days.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) on Tuesday produced Paudel before the court, seeking judicial authorisation to detain him following his arrest in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta.

The court approved a seven-day remand, allowing investigators to continue the probe.

Paudel was arrested on Monday in connection with the ongoing money laundering investigation.

The DMLI, which has been investigating Paudel, obtained an arrest warrant, after which police in Surkhet district took him into custody.

Officials said Paudel was arrested after a businessman involved in Bhatta’s transactions gave a statement implicating him in the case.

CPN-UML to Lodge Strong Protest in Parliament Against Arrest of Bishnu Paudel

The Parliamentary Party of the CPN-UML has decided to stage a strong protest in Parliament, alleging that the arrest of party Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Paudel was carried out in a premeditated manner.

The decision was taken during a meeting held at the party’s central office in Chyasal on Tuesday in the presence of party Chairperson KP Sharma Oli, according to lawmaker Guru Baral.

“The arrest of Vice-Chairperson Bishnu Paudel is a planned move. UML will strongly protest against it in Parliament,” Baral said. “This is against the rule of law.”

The meeting also decided to raise its voice against what it termed arbitrary and anarchic actions of the government and to advocate for the restoration of the rule of law in the country.

“Besides this, the meeting decided to pressure the government to take decisions in favour of the victims, stating that the government has failed to pay adequate attention to issues such as rising inflation and disasters including floods and landslides,” Baral added.

During the meeting, Chairperson Oli briefed party lawmakers on the role they should play in Parliament. Chief Whip Ain Mahar informed that the meeting passed a seven-point resolution.

“The arrest of Vice-Chairperson Paudel is retaliatory, humiliating, and illegal,” Mahar said, urging the government to ensure his immediate release.

Following the parliamentary party meeting, a UML Secretariat meeting is scheduled to take place at Chairperson Oli’s residence in Gundu. Party Secretary Padma Aryal said the meeting would determine the party’s further strategy.

Paudel was arrested in Surkhet on Monday and brought to Kathmandu by police based on a letter from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.