KATHMANDU, April 2: Kali Bahadur Kham, a leader of the CPN (Maoist Center), has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and murder of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha from Koteshwar two years after the then Maoist rebels signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord. He had been absconding for 15 years after the murder and was finally arrested by a team from the District Police Range, Kathmandu. A senior officer confirmed Kham’s arrest.
Businessman Shrestha was murdered in 2065 BS. It is alleged that he was killed on the order of Kham.
High Court upholds Kali Bahadur Kham's detention in murder case
Another Maoist commander, Govinda Bahadur Batala, who was arrested in this case, was released after his arrest.
Kham is considered to be the mastermind behind the Shrestha murder case. Formerly a division commander within the Maoist combatants, he currently serves as a member of the security department within the Maoist Center.
The security department is headed under the leadership of Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the vice chairman of the Maoist Center.