Kathmandu, Nov. 8 -- The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) has launched an investigation into alleged irregularities in the leasing of Nepal Trust land in Durbar Marg, arresting former joint secretary Lekh Bahadur Karki in connection with the case.

Additional Inspector General Manoj KC, the CIB chief, said that Karki, 66, was taken into custody on Friday for his suspected involvement in signing a lease agreement that reportedly caused financial loss to the Trust.

"We have begun further investigation following his arrest," KC said.

According to the police, the probe concerns a 30-year lease deal that appears to have been executed without proper approval, in violation of procedural requirements.

Preliminary findings indicate that the l...