The Supreme Court on Thursday issued a show-cause order to various government agencies, seeking their explanation on the arrest and detention of former minister and CPN-UML Vice-chair Bishnu Paudel.

A single bench of Justice Shreekanta Paudel issued the order following a hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed on Wednesday by Paudel’s spouse, Domaya Paudel. The petition challenges the legality of his detention and his immediate release, arguing that his arrest was unlawful.

The apex court has directed the defendants to submit written explanations and supporting documents justifying the legal basis for keeping Paudel in custody.

Paudel was arrested in Surkhet on Monday in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI) had issued an arrest warrant, following which the Surkhet Police took him into custody.

Investigators allege that Paudel abused his authority while in office to facilitate an equity purchase for Bhatta. The transaction is currently under scrutiny as part of a broader money laundering probe. Bhatta is already in judicial custody on separate money laundering charges.

The Special Court has authorised investigators to keep Poudel in custody for seven days to facilitate the ongoing inquiry.

The petition has named the Special Court, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the DMLI and the District Police Office, Surkhet, as defendants.