BIRGUNJ: Ten people who feigned as officials of Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau and took hostage a Bara resident from Birgunj-18 has been arrested in Parsa district.

The hostage also was taken in custody after it was revealed that he, along with the mastermind behind his melodramatic abduction, was involved in a con business that apparently dealt with mythical nagamani (cobra pearl).

The District Police Office, Parsa, paraded the CIB impostors here in Birgunj on Tuesday.

The suspects -- identified as Prem Lal Shrestha of Kathmandu; Bijaya Bahadur Bal, Suvesh Ghalan, Nasi  Akhtar, Raju Lama and Yogendra Prasad Bhatta of Sarlahi; Sagar of Sindhupalchok and currently residing  in Sarlahi; Amit Bomjan of Makawanpur, and Mohan Bahadur Kingring of Kavre -- had kidnapped Mohammad  Abdullah of Bara district on Saturday, January 28.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Prem Lal Shrestha and Mohammad Abdullah had defrauded several people on the pretext of selling prized nagamani, which is much sought after for its alleged mythical power to bring good luck to its possessor.

Shrestha resorted to using police impostors to swindle his ex-partner of fortune, apparently after  their relationship soured.

Police impounded a vehicle (Ba 16 Cha 8780), identical to Nepal Police van, used in the crime.

Police said the suspects would be charged under the public offence.