The Department of Money Laundering Investigation has raided the home of former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, seizing documents and electronic devices, according to a senior security source.

A senior department official said investigators had also raided the homes of several other people as part of the investigation. The official declined to identify them, saying that doing so could affect the investigation.

On September 27, a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office took Rana into custody from his home at around 3 am, citing a security threat. He was released after being held for about 12 hours.

A few days ago, the police’s Special Bureau also took Enam Sapkota into custody at Tribhuvan International Airport for allegedly being in contact with Rana.

The developments are part of a wider investigation involving allegations that Rana and others sought to influence court decisions in their favour. Controversial businessman Dipak Bhatta, who was being held at Nakkhu prison, has been transferred to Sindhupalchok amid allegations that he worked with Rana to influence a court ruling.

Police officials said members of the prime minister’s secretariat had also accused Rana of attempting to secure Bhatta’s release.

The case has also drawn in Armed Police Force Additional Inspector General Banshiraj Dahal, who was suspended with the involvement of the Home Ministry.

Home Ministry spokesperson Ananda Kafle said Dahal was suspended for “leaking sensitive security-related information and acting in breach of conduct”.