Naya Shakti Nepal has expelled its interim council member Ashok Thapa, who was arrested on Sunday on fraud charge.

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested Thapa after he swindled a Pokhara-based woman of Rs 725,800 through a lottery scam.

The party directive says that any leaders or cadres involved in grave criminal offences such as corruption or fraud will be automatically suspended. Based on the provision, Thapa, a former commander of People’s Liberation Army, has been automatically suspended, informed party spokesperson Khimlal Devkota.

The Kathmandu District Court has remanded Thapa to seven days in custody for further investigation.

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