BIRATNAGAR: In a dramatic turn of events, notorious gang leader Abhishek Giri has been re-arrested by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Morang on Monday night, just moments after the high court ordered his release from a separate detention.

Giri is now being transferred to Kathmandu as federal investigators probe his involvement in a sweeping money laundering and organized crime operation.

According to the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Morang, Kabit Katwal, local authorities successfully executed the arrest warrant on behalf of the central bureau.

“We have taken Giri back into custody and officially handed him over to the CIB today,” SP Katwal confirmed.

The swift re-arrest followed a decision by the High Court in Biratnagar earlier on Monday, which had ordered Giri to be released from custody while investigations continued.

He had initially been detained last Saturday following grave accusations that he was running an extortion racket targeting vulnerable inmates inside the Morang Jail.

While the District Police Office in Morang had sought a judicial extension to keep him remanded for organized crime and illicit asset tracking, the local court’s release order forced the police to shift tactics.

Police authorities clarified that the new arrest was executed seamlessly under the mandate of the money laundering investigation the moment Giri stepped out of judicial custody.