Lalita Niwas scam: former election commissioner arrested

Kathmandu, June 27 : Police have arrested former Election Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Shah in relation to his alleged involvement in the Lalita Niwas land embezzlement scam.     

Nepal Police spokesperson Kuber Badayat said that Shah was arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) after investigation over the case was re-intensified. Shah had served as the Election Commissioner from 2073 to 2075 BS.     

The CIB has arrested seven people including Shah today. However, three were released after it was found that they had already got a stay order from the Supreme Court. They were released as per the Supreme Court order to continue investigation by keeping them outside of custody. They include Kaladhar Deuja, Surendraman Kapali and Hupendramani KC. Deuja is the former head of Dillibazar Land Revenue Office while Kapali was an employee there.     

Others arrested today include Dharma Prasad Gautam, Gopal Karki and Meen Bahadur Gurung, the owner of Bhabhateni supermarket. The CIB is to hold a press conference tomorrow to share latest updates.     

Investigation has found that the land of Lalita Niwas in Baluwatar, which is owned by the government, was registered in the names of different individuals in the scam that took place between 2049 to 2069 BS. (RSS)