KATHMANDU: The police have taken Arnico Kumar Panday, a former central committee member of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and ex-member of the National Planning Commission, into custody.

The Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police detained him on Wednesday.

According to Cyber Bureau spokesperson Deepak Awasthi, Panday was taken into custody following a complaint that he had allegedly harassed a woman online.

“Mr. Panday has been taken into custody for questioning regarding a complaint of online harassment of a woman. He could not be presented in court today; we will take him to court tomorrow to request an extension of custody,” Awasthi said.

Panday is a scientist specializing in atmospheric studies.

He has served as a government advisor in Nepal, the Philippines, and Japan on issues related to climate change, sustainable development, and pollution.