Senior division forest officer Krishna Dutta Bhatta arrested in Kailali

Godavari: Police have arrested Krishna Dutta Bhatta, a senior division forest officer working in the Forest Directorate of Kailali, on Monday.

Bhatta, who had accused Sudurpaschim Chief Minister Kamal Bahadur Shah of demanding a bribe, was taken into custody by a team from the Kailali District Police Office at the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment. Deputy Superintendent of Police Yogendra Timilsina, spokesperson for the District Police Office, stated that Bhatta was arrested following a complaint filed against him by Chief Minister Shah’s personal secretary, Prayagraj Khanal, regarding electronic crime.

According to the police, Bhatta is currently in custody at the District Police Office. He was taken into custody when he arrived at the ministry to provide an explanation after the Ministry of Industry requested clarification regarding his earlier allegations.

A few days ago, Bhatta had publicly alleged that Chief Minister Shah demanded Rs 500,000 from him and subsequently transferred him out of prejudice after he did not comply with the demand.