Congress Leader and Former Minister Deepak Khadka Arrested, Investigation Launched into Cash Seized During Jan G Movement

Nepal Police have arrested Nepali Congress leader and former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka. He was detained on Sunday morning, and the Kathmandu District Court later authorized a seven-day custody for investigation in the evening. Home Minister Sudhan Gurung informed through a Facebook post that Khadka was taken into custody as part of the investigation into cash seized from his residence during the protest on Bhadra 24.

Home Minister Gurung shared the necessary arrest warrant issued by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on his social media post, confirming Khadka’s current residence as Budhanilkantha Municipality. According to the post, the arrest was made for investigating charges related to money laundering. The Nepal Police’s CIB also confirmed the arrest in connection to money laundering offenses. CIB spokesperson Shiv Kumar Shrestha said, “He has been arrested. I have not yet received all the reports. The arrest is related to money laundering cases.” The police have stated that further details will be provided later.

Following the recommendations of the commission set up to investigate the Jan G Movement, former Prime Minister KP Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on Saturday. While the UML party has institutionally labeled these actions as retaliatory and the faction led by Congress’s Purna Bahadur also opposes them, Deepak Khadka was arrested just three days after Balendra Shah assumed office. Khadka served as Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation under Prime Minister KP Oli’s government, and he is also a businessman in the water resources sector.

His personal details submitted to the House of Representatives Secretariat cite years of experience in sectors including ‘tourism and hydropower.’ Khadka has invested in various hydropower projects. He is considered one of the promoters of the Langtang Bhote Koshi Hydropower Project, which involves nearly NPR 2 billion in Chinese investment. According to the Independent Power Producers’ Association, Nepal (IPPAN) website, he has investments in the Upper Piluwa 1 and 2 projects under Manchhyam Hydropower Pvt. Ltd. in Sankhuwasabha district. Questions regarding conflicts of interest arose upon his appointment as Energy Minister. However, Khadka had stated, “If I work in a way that supports others, you will see the results. Such efforts benefit the country. It is possible to understand quickly and easily. My goal is to work selflessly and responsibly for the country, and I believe experience will make it fruitful.” During the Jan G Movement in Bhadra, his residence was also subjected to vandalism and arson. He was elected from Sankhuwasabha in the previous House of Representatives election.