JANAKPURDHAM: The Dhanusha District Court on Sunday sent a suspect of the 2010 murder of media entrepreneur Arun Singhaniya to judicial custody.

A single bench of judge Narayan Sharma ordered that Manak Lama, the alleged sharpshooter, be sent to the judicial custody till the final hearing on the case.

Lama was arrested from Biratnagar of Morang district on Friday.

He was presented before the District Court today.

Lawyers who were present at the hearing today said Lama confessed his role in the murder.

He would be taken to the Mahottari District Prison, Jaleshwor on Monday.

Media entrepreneur Singhniya was fatally shot at Janakpur’s Shiva Chok on March 1, 2010. Police investigation showed that Lama was hired as a hitman to bring down Singhaniya.

According to police investigation, Lama had opened fire at Singhaniya and fled Nepal following the incident. Upon his return, Lama had been hiding in India.

Another accused, Ram Binod Yadav, is still at large.

Police investigations have identified suspended lawmaker Sanajy Sah as the mastermind behind the attack.

Meanwhile, he was transferred to Kathmandu’s Charkhal-based Sadarkhor recently after he was reluctant to record his statement at the District Court.