MORANG: Abhishek Giri, a Nepali Congress leader from Biratnagar, was arrested on Saturday after police raided his residence as part of an investigation into an alleged prison-based extortion racket.

According to the Morang District Police Office, Giri is accused of extorting inmates and embezzling their allowances. Police searched his home on suspicion that it contained evidence related to the case, although authorities have not disclosed whether any items were seized. The investigation is ongoing.

Giri, who has previously served a prison sentence in a kidnapping case, denied the allegations, claiming the arrest was motivated by political vendetta.