Rajesh Jha (Ahiraj), the former provincial head of Madhesh Province, has been arrested on charges of sexual misconduct, police said.

According to Superintendent of Police Apilraj Bohara, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Police Range, Jha was taken into custody on Sunday, and the Kathmandu District Court has granted a five-day remand for further investigation.

Jha was appointed Madhesh provincial head on February 19, 2021. Before his appointment, he was involved in the media business, including publishing Madheshbani weekly.

He was appointed by the then KP Sharma Oli-led government after removing Tilak Pariyar from the post amid deepening disputes within the then Nepal Communist Party. The succeeding government, led by Sher Bahadur Deuba, removed Jha from office within six months.