Kathmandu— Dev Kumar Nepali, the mayor of Dhorpatan Municipality in Baglung, has been arrested in New Delhi, India, on charges of embezzling over Rs1.5 billion from cooperative savings.

Nepal Police apprehended Mayor Nepali on Friday, following an Interpol red notice issued in January at the request of Nepal Police, confirmed Tek Prasad Rai, acting chief of Nepal Police. Repatriation procedures are currently underway to bring Nepali back to Nepal for further legal action.

Nepali, the founding chairman of Image Cooperative, is accused of defrauding more than 1,500 depositors who had entrusted their savings to the cooperative in Baglung and Pokhara. While other officials involved in the scheme have already faced legal action, Nepali had been on the run until his recent arrest.

Authorities are coordinating with Indian officials to ensure his swift return to Nepal, where he will face charges related to the massive fraud.