Nepal's ex-Energy Minister arrested over money laundering case

Nepalese authorities have arrested the country's former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. He was taken into custody on Sunday morning (March 29), reports AFP.

Central Investigation Bureau spokesperson Shiv Kumar Shrestha said Khadka is being held in connection with a money laundering case, which will be investigated by Nepal’s Anti-Money Laundering Division.

The arrests come in the wake of last September’s anti-corruption protests, which escalated after social media restrictions triggered nationwide demonstrations.

At least 76 people died on September 8–9 in a violent clashes during the protests, according to the country's investigation commission.

Moreover, the unrest led to the fall of the Oli government.

In the subsequent elections, the State Independent Party secured a landslide victory, with party leader Balendra Shah becoming prime minister.

The new administration has unveiled a 100-point reform agenda, including asset investigations of politicians and senior officials.

Earlier, Nepalese authorities arrested former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak over the deaths of students and others during anti-government protests.

However, Oli and Lekhak have denied allegations that they ordered security forces to fire on protesters.