MORANG, July 24: An undersecretary-level government official has been arrested at Biratnagar Airport after police found Rs 665,000 in cash in his possession and he failed to explain its source.
Morang Police Chief SP Kabit Katwal said Mikmar Tamang, an undersecretary at the President Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Committee, was arrested while carrying the cash. Although the arrest was made on July 19, police disclosed the incident only on Thursday, saying the investigation is ongoing.
Tamang, a resident of Bhimeshwor Municipality-9 in Dolakha, was detained during a routine security check while preparing to board a Buddha Air flight from Biratnagar to Kathmandu.
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According to SP Katwal, police recovered Rs 665,000—including 515 notes of Rs 1,000 and 300 notes of Rs 500—from a black bag Tamang was carrying. As he failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the money, airport police detained him and handed him over to the District Police Office, Morang.
Katwal said Tamang initially concealed his identity.
"Further questioning and investigation led him to reveal his identity. We later confirmed that he is an undersecretary at the President Chure-Terai Madhesh Conservation Development Committee. Since he could not verify the source of the cash, legal procedures and further investigation are underway," Katwal said.
He added that Tamang is being investigated on charges related to possessing assets from an undisclosed source.
"The investigation has reached its final stage. If possible, we will submit the case to the District Attorney's Office today," SP Katwal said.
