UML cadre Dinesh Adhikari alias Chari, who is suspected in numerous criminal activities including extortion, was arrested by a Crime Investigation Bureau (CIB) team in Kathmandu Friday afternoon.

CIB sources said Chari, the vice chairman of the UML's Area-1 Committee in Dhading district, was arrested following a tip-off that he was involved in a smuggling of rhino horns in an organised way.

A few others suspected to have been working for him were also arrested today. Police is yet to formally inform about his arrest and the charges.

Two months earlier, he was arrested from Thankot with swords and khukuris, along with his associates, but was released UML leader K.P Sharma Oli allegedly telephoned the then chief of Metropolitan Police, Arjun Jung Shahi (now suspended over the Sudan scam) and asked him to release him.

Shahi had admitted to have received a call from Oli, but the latter has denied to have given any pressure for Chari's release.

Oli had then publicly spoken against Chari's arrest, dubbing him a dedicated cadre of the UML