KATHMANDU: The District Court, Kathmandu, has granted the authorities the permission to detain former minister Deepak Khadka for seven days in connection with a money laundering case.

A bench of Judge Shiva Prasad Parajuli at the Kathmandu District Court issued the order on Sunday, allowing the Department of Money Laundering Investigation to keep Khadka in custody for further investigation. Khadka was arrested earlier on Sunday morning on charges related to money laundering.

He was presented before the court later in the afternoon to seek approval for custodial investigation. The Department of Money Laundering Investigation had requested the remand, stating that although initial statements from Khadka had been recorded, further investigation, including evidence collection and detailed interrogation, was still pending.

The court approved the request, noting that the grounds presented were reasonable. In its order, the court authorized a seven-day extension of custody effective from March 29, under Section 17(4) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2008. Authorities will continue their investigation while Khadka remains in custody.