Police have arrested Mahesh Shrestha, brother of Nepali Congress leader Umesh Shrestha, in connection with the investigation into Inam Sapkota.

Senior Superintendent of Police Dilip Ghimire, chief of the Kathmandu District Police Range, confirmed that Shrestha was arrested in Kirtipur.

“We brought him in for further questioning after the investigation indicated that more inquiries were necessary,” Ghimire told Kantipur.

Police said Shrestha’s involvement emerged during the investigation into Sapkota, who is being investigated on allegations of money laundering and banking offences.

“His links came to light while we were investigating Sapkota. We began looking into him after issues related to financial transactions emerged,” an officer involved in the investigation said.

Police can keep suspects in custody for up to 90 days while investigating money laundering offences. “We will investigate the matter from different angles during that period,” the officer said.

The investigation began after police brought former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana to their office, citing security concerns, and examined his mobile phone.

Sapkota’s name emerged during that inquiry, leading to his arrest and a further investigation. Investigators subsequently found that he had been in contact with senior officials in Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force, the judiciary and political circles.

The government also dismissed Armed Police Force Additional Inspector General Banshiraj Dahal, citing his communications with Sapkota.