UML vice-chair Bishnu Paudel arrested in money laundering probe linked to Bhatta case

Bishnu Paudel, a prominent vice-chair of the CPN-UML party and former finance minister, was arrested on Monday in Surkhet, western Nepal, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) issued an arrest warrant, leading to his custody by local police.

An official involved in the investigation stated that Paudel's arrest stems from his alleged link to controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta. The investigation reportedly intensified after a businessman, who sold shares under pressure, implicated Paudel in his statement. Paudel is accused of pressuring this businessman to sell shares of a company at a discounted price to Bhatta's firm, allegedly promising four facilitative actions in return.

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He was arrested after a businessman involved in Bhatta’s transactions provided a statement implicating Paudel. The former finance minister is alleged to have pressured a businessman to sell shares of a company at a discounted price to Bhatta’s firm. When the businessman asked what benefit he would receive in return, Paudel reportedly assured him of four facilitative actions. Three of those have already been completed, while preparations for the fourth were underway before the Gen Z protest intervened and halted the process.

Sources indicate that Paudel was aware of the investigation and had reportedly sought protection from government officials. Following reports of potential interference, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who was attending his party's general convention in Chitwan, issued a directive for Paudel's arrest within two hours.

The DMLI subsequently issued the arrest warrants. Paudel was in Surkhet for a party program when he was apprehended. He is currently held at the Surkhet District Police Office and preparations are underway to transfer him to Kathmandu. Paudel has held ministerial positions multiple times, including serving as finance minister five times.

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While the investigation was ongoing, Paudel began requesting some government officials to protect him, claiming he was not involved in wrongdoing. After reports of possible interference, Prime Minister Balendra Shah, who is in Chitwan attending his party’s general convention, instructed that Paudel be arrested within two hours on Monday.