Kathmandu, March 29 (NationPress) Authorities apprehended Deepak Khadka, a prominent leader of the Nepali Congress and the former Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, on Sunday, on allegations of money laundering, according to a senior police official.

Just one day following the arrests of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak in connection to homicide cases associated with the suppression of the Gen Z movement last September, Khadka marks the third individual from the cabinet of the Oli administration to face arrest.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shiva Kumar Shrestha, the spokesperson for the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police, confirmed to IANS that Khadka was taken into custody early Sunday morning from his residence in the Maharajgunj neighborhood of Kathmandu.

“He was detained for questioning after a significant sum of cash was found when his home was engulfed in flames during the Gen Z protests in September last year,” SSP Shrestha explained. Footage of the uprising showed demonstrators tossing bundles of cash into the air, which went viral.

Additionally, images and videos emerged showing charred remnants of banknotes at the homes of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba. Forensic laboratory tests later verified the authenticity of these materials, despite initial doubts regarding their origin, with questions raised about the possibility of artificial intelligence manipulation.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation had previously issued a request to Police Headquarters for an inquiry into Khadka.

Involved in various ventures, such as hydropower projects and hospitality, Khadka stirred controversy during his time as energy minister, particularly through his public confrontations with former Managing Director of Nepal Electricity Authority, Kul Man Ghising, which ultimately resulted in Ghising's dismissal.

He also faced scrutiny over the granting of licenses and contracts for hydropower initiatives, being accused of accepting financial incentives in return for facilitating these approvals, with alleged transactions taking place within the ministerial offices. Furthermore, he was implicated in the misappropriation of land belonging to the Nepal Scouts in Kathmandu.

Meanwhile, authorities presented former Home Minister Lekhak at the District Court in Kathmandu on Sunday, seeking an extension of his detention as investigations continue into his involvement in quelling the Gen Z protests.

According to a government report, the uprising on September 8 and 9 claimed the lives of 77 individuals and resulted in property damages exceeding NPR 84 billion. An inquiry commission, led by former Special Court chairperson Gauri Bahadur Karki, has recommended that Oli, Lekhak, and former Police Chief Chandra Kuber Khapung face charges under Sections 181 and 182 of the National Penal Code for criminal negligence, potentially leading to a maximum sentence of 10 years if found guilty.

Authorities indicated plans to present Oli virtually before the court, as he is currently hospitalized in Kathmandu due to health issues following his arrest.