Constable held for arson in APF headquarters

Kathmandu, December 26

Police have arrested an Armed Police Force constable in connection with the December 9 fire that broke out in a store room of Halchowk-based APF headquarters.

SSP Dibesh Lohani said APF constable Ram Krishna Shrestha, who was assigned to guard the store room of the accounts section, was held after investigation launched by Metropolitan Police Crime Division showed his direct involvement in the incident.

Property worth around Rs 2.2 million, including important documents, were gutted in the fire. Ministry of Home Affairs and APF Headquarters had also opened investigation separately. Preliminary investigation suggests that constable Shrestha had set the store on fire with an intention to cause loss and damage to government property.

A source said he premeditated the fire after the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority summoned him to record his statement in a case.

Shrestha has been charged with arson. MPCD said he was referred to Metropolitan Police Circle, Swoyambhu, for legal action.

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