KATHMANDU, APRIL 3 The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) arrested Jagdamba group chairperson Shankar Agrawal this evening in Kathmandu. The CIB arrested Agrawal on charges of money laundering. Shortly after Agrawal's arrest, Home Minister Sudan Gurung wrote '8' on his Facebook page, indicating that eight people, including Agrawal, had been arrested until this evening. Prior to writing 8, Minister Gurung wrote 7/7, which meant that seven people had been arrested in seven days. Agrawal is the subject of an investigation by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation. The department had written to the bureau suggesting that he be arrested as part of the ongoing investigation. Agarwal's suspicious financial transactions and business relationship with controversial businessman Deepak Bhatt, who was recently arrested, have drawn the attention of the police. Bhatt had long been employed by Shankar Group as a consultant. The DMLI has stepped up its investigation, particularly in light of the suspicion that Bhatt's bank account received approximately Rs. 450 million from Jagdamba Steel without disclosing its source and that the money was handled through 'asset layering.' Following Bhatt's arrest, there is now more surveillance on other powerful businessmen who are thought to be close to him. According to sources, Agarwal was arrested in connection with the same case. Bhatta and Agrawal have dominated the stock market by misusing funds from public limited companies, as well as insurance and hydropower. The Money Laundering Investigation Department is looking into the Rs 450 million that Jagdamba Steel Pvt. Ltd. transferred to businessman Bhatta's personal bank account, Shankar Group. According to bank records, Jagdamba Steel deposited Rs 150 million, Rs 140 million (the first cheque was returned and re-deposited the next day), and Rs 160 million in Bhatt's personal account over four days, from June 27 to 30, 2021, for a total of Rs 450 million. Agrawal's son, Sulabh Agrawal, was previously arrested and released in a black marketing case. He was embroiled in a controversy over 'thermal gun black marketing'.