KATHMANDU: Three individuals have been apprehended by the police in connection with the physical assault on Janak Bartaula, a prominent leader of the Maoist Center.
The arrest took place in Pashupatinagar, Ilam, capturing Sher Bahadur Tharu and Ashish Lamichhane Magar from Banke, along with Tek Bahadur Pradhan, also known as Kailash, from Jhapa. They were accused of fleeing after the attack on Bartaula in Baneshwar on November 8.
Bartaula, a Bagmati province member of the Maoist Center and vice-chairman of the All Nepal Sports Federation, was assaulted near Eyeplex Mall in Baneshwar.
Reportedly, the attackers had been surveilling Bartaula’s residence, office, and gym for three months as part of their plan for the assault. Sher Bahadur allegedly wielded a Khukuri, attacking Bartaula from behind during the incident.
Following the assault, the perpetrators changed clothes at a nearby residence before making their way to the new bus park. Tek Bahadur facilitated their travel to Ilam via Jhapa.
While the police have not disclosed the mastermind, they assert that the attack was planned in a Kathmandu hotel and only three individuals were privy to the plan.
All three arrested suspects have a history of previous convictions related to theft, robbery, possession of weapons, and attempted murder.
The Kathmandu District Court has granted a 10-day detention period for investigations into the alleged murder attempt.
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