Kathmandu: Nepal Police have arrested three individuals in connection with a theft from the room of former Kathmandu Metropolitan City mayor Balendra Shah (Balen). The arrests were made following a special tip-off that an escaped prisoner from Nakkhu Prison was involved in a series of thefts in different locations since Bhadra 24.

The District Police Range, Kathmandu, made public the arrests on Tuesday, stating that the group had broken into a room used by Shah at the residence of Sita Devi Gurung in Chappal Factory, Kathmandu Metropolitan City–4.

Those arrested are Manish Rajbahak, 42, of Balaju, Kathmandu; Khim Bahadur Khadka, 46, of Sindhupalchowk; and Sanjay Shrestha, 45, originally from Doti and currently residing in Dhading.

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramesh Thapa, investigations revealed that Rajbahak had a prior theft case, Khadka was involved in a banking offense, and Shrestha had an extortion case against him. Police have recovered stolen goods and tools used in the theft from their possession.

The suspects have been taken into custody for further investigation, and police believe they may be involved in other theft incidents as well.