The CPN (Maoist Centre) has demanded release of its leader and former lawmaker Bal Krishna Dhungel, who was arrested from Satdobato of Lalitpur on Tuesday.

Stating his arrest was against the peace agreement, party spokesperson Pampha Bhusal condemned the arrest.

"As per the spirit of peace agreement, the cases dating back to the war in the country are to be settled through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission," she said, demanding his immediate release.

Talking to media persons following the arrest of Dhungel, the party spokesperson expressed doubt over the police move, citing it might be an attempt to foil the elections.

Dhungel was arrested from his rented room by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police.

He was elected to the first Constituent Assembly from the Okhaldhunga-2.

The Okhaldhunga District Court in 2004 had convicted Dhungel of murder and ordered life term with confiscation of property, but in 2006, the Rajbiraj Appellate Court gave him a clean-chit. The apex court in 2010 overturned Rajbiraj Appellate Court’s decision and upheld Okhaldhunga District Court’s verdict.

The Supreme Court on April 13 had ordered IGP of Nepal Police to arrest Dhungel and put him behind bars within a week.

The Baburam Bhattarai government in November 2011 had recommended presidential clemency for Dhungel, but it was rejected by the court.

Despite the SC order, Dhungel had been walking free, largely due to the protection from his party.

He has to spend 12 years 5 months and 22 days behind bars.