Mar 16, Kathmandu - Krishna Datta Bhatta, a senior divisional forest officer, has been arrested by the District Police Office in Kailali on charges of cybercrime for making false allegations against Chief Minister of Sudurpaschim Province, Kamal Bahadur Shah.

Bhatta recently claimed in an interview that the Chief Minister demanded five lakh rupees from him, and that he was transferred out of bias after refusing to pay. Following this, the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment sent Bhatta a notice, demanding a 24-hour clarification regarding his public statements, which they labeled as unprofessional conduct unbecoming of a civil servant.

The ministry condemned Bhatta's remarks as baseless, fabricated, and aimed at character assassination. It was also noted that Bhatta had previously made controversial statements and accused various individuals, raising concerns within the ministry. The ministry warned that if a satisfactory explanation was not provided, disciplinary action would be initiated.

Chief Minister Shah, who also oversees the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest, and Environment, dismissed the allegations as false and demanded action against Bhatta.