CPN-UML Vice Chair and former Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel has been arrested on charges related to money laundering, according to police officials.

Paudel was detained on Monday evening from a hotel hall in Birendranagar, Surkhet, where he had attended a party program focused on election review and organizational restructuring.

Police stated that he was taken into custody by a special team and transported to Nepalgunj before being transferred to Kathmandu for further legal proceedings and investigation.

Originally from Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City in Rupandehi district, Paudel currently resides in Lalitpur. Authorities say the arrest was carried out as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial crimes.

The arrest has drawn significant political attention and is expected to remain a major topic of discussion as the investigation progresses.