The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has arrested Bhupendra Bhandari, the former Executive Chairman of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA), in connection with the Smart Telecom case.

The CIB team arrested Bhandari from the Baneshwor area of Kathmandu.

According to investigators, he has been taken into custody as part of an investigation into the auction and alleged misappropriation of assets and infrastructure that were supposed to come under government ownership after Smart Telecom's operating license was revoked.

The CIB said the investigation is ongoing and that evidence is being collected while questioning individuals connected to the case.

The transfer and management of Smart Telecom's assets following the cancellation of its license have remained under public scrutiny for some time. Authorities consider the latest arrest an important step in the ongoing investigation.