UCPN (Maoist) lawmaker Lharkyal Lama, who was arrested on Sunday after 14 bullets were found in his bank locker, has been remanded in custody for five days.

The ammunition was recovered from the locker at the Durbarmarg-based Nepal Investment Bank during a probe by the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority. The CIAA then handed over Lama to the Metropolitan Police Circle, Durbarmarg, which then sent him to the Metropolitan Police Range, Teku.

The Range presented Lama before the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, charging him with illegal possession of arms. The DAO remanded Lama in custody for further investigation.

Senior Superintendent of Police Bikram Thapa said they were studying how and for what purpose the bullets were kept in the bank. “We’ll start recording Lama’s statement on Monday,” said SSP Thapa. “We are yet to ascertain the weapon that the bullets are used in.” According to the SSP, nine-month jail and Rs60,000 fine will be sought from Lama.

“The new constitution authorises the DAO to deal with the issues of arms and ammunition. Cases will be filed here by the government attorney after the police complete their investigation,” said Ram Krishna Subedi, the Kathmandu chief district officer.

The anti-graft body had been scanning the property accumulated by Lama from unknown sources. The bank locker was sealed in course of the investigation. The CIAA is also studying possible misappropriation of electoral constituency development funds by Lama, a Maoist Member of Parliament on proportional representation quota.

Lama, a former CPN-UML member, was the state minister for finance during Jhala Nath Khanal’s tenure as the prime minister. He resigned from the post following controversy over his possession of multiple citizenship certificates. He then quit the UML and joined the Maoist party where he was appointed a lawmaker despite objections from among the Maoists.

Besides Lama, the CIAA has also kept 29 politicians and high-ranking officials under its radar for funds misappropriation and illegal amassing of property.

Lama’s position as MP hangs in balance. Maoist Chief Whip Hit Raj Pandey did not say what action would be taken against Lama. “Our chairman is outside the Valley. I just arrived from an event in Gorkha. We will learn more about the matter before deciding on what to do next,” said Pandey.