The Special Court on Monday granted a second extension of former minister and CPN-UML Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel’s detention, allowing investigators three more days to continue a money laundering probe linked to an alleged abuse of office.

The extension was approved by a full bench of judges, Narayan Prasad Paudel, Hemanta Rawal and Umesh Koirala. The court had previously authorised a seven-day remand, making Monday’s order the second extension of Paudel’s custody.

Paudel was arrested in Surkhet on June 22 in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to controversial businessman Deepak Bhatta.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation alleges that Paudel abused his authority while in office to facilitate an equity purchase for Bhatta. The transaction is under scrutiny as part of a broader money laundering investigation. Bhatta is already in judicial custody on separate money laundering charges.