Police have arrested a 24-year-old watchman at a juvenile correctional home in Parsa on charges of extorting over Rs 1 million from inmates. The accused, Pramananda Gupta of Lahan Municipality-3 in Siraha, is alleged to have coerced money from at least 10 juvenile detainees over a period of time.

The matter came to light on the day some inmates were set to be released. According to Parsa Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra, the juveniles reported Gupta’s activities to the correctional home administration and on-duty security officers, claiming he had used threats and pressure to collect Rs 1.15 million in total.

Gupta was arrested right away while working as a watchman at the site.  As they investigate allegations of fraud, criminal breach of trust, and extortion, police have since obtained a three-day remand extension from the court.

 According to SP Mishra, the inquiry is still underway, and based on the results, more legal action would be taken.