Police on Wednesday made public two persons arrested in connection with the murder of Shreeram Sah, the elderly priest of Hanuman Temple at Madhavnarayan Municipality Ward No. 2 in Rautahat.

Sah, 65, was shot dead by an unidentified group on August 19 while he was having his evening meal. He was found dead outside the temple.

Ramnaresh Patel, 36, and Balkumar Patel, 28, of Gonahi Municipality Ward No. 1 have been detained for investigation.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar Singh said that a special security team of Province 2 Police Office and the District Police Office in Rautahat arrested the suspects from Baudhimai Municipality Ward No. 7 on Wednesday morning.

"During the preliminary investigation, Ramnaresh admitted to killing Sah using a pistol," said Singh. According to Ramnaresh, Balkumar abetted him in the crime.

The Rautahat District Court has remanded the detainees in custody for 10 days for investigation.

Police suspect financial dealing to be the main cause behind the killing. According to the investigation officer, Sah had loaned some money to Ramnaresh's father. They had a dispute when the priest asked for his money back.

Police have also suspected the involvement of a few other people in the crime. They refused to disclose more information, citing that it would affect the investigation.

Sheikh Nurullaha, the ward chairman of Gonahi Municipality Ward No. 1, has been on the run since the incident, said police.