Deputy Superintendent of Police Thag Bahadur KC at the Area Police Office in Butwal has been arrested on extortion charge.

A police team of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) detained KC during a raid carried out at his residence on Sunday evening. The CIB officers have been investigating KC's alleged involvement in extortion by abusing his position and power.

The investigation officers recovered Rs850,000 in cash, a cheque of Rs950,000 and 35 tolas of gold (around 408 grams) from KC’s residence in Butwal. Though the cheque was issued in the name of Khilendra Singh GC, it was recovered in KC’s official residence.

The gold was seized from a bullion trader in Butwal on December 11. The precious metal was brought to KC’s residence without carrying out an investigation. The CIB was informed three days ago that KC, through his middleman GC, demanded a hefty amount from the bullion trader.

GC was also taken into custody along with KC for necessary investigation.

According to Rabindra Regmi, chief at the Rupandehi Police Office, a detailed investigation is going on by keeping KC in police custody in Bhairahawa. “The seized cash, check and gold are with us. Investigation is underway into his alleged involvement in extortion,” said Regmi.

KC was also accused of his involvement in collecting money from call centres, crusher operators, gamblers and others. Sources said he had a good connection with transportation entrepreneurs, hotel entrepreneurs and smugglers. KC collected the money from them by mobilising police patrol officers in plain clothes.