KATHMANDU (BNO NEWS) — Nepalese police on Tuesday charged a parliamentarian with masterminding the abduction of a businessman last month, the Himalayan Times reported on Wednesday.

Constituent Assembly member Shyam Sundar Gupta is accused of being the mastermind behind the abduction of businessman Pawan Kumar Shanghai, who was abducted in Kathmandu on December 22, 2011.

Police on Tuesday released an audio recording of a conversation between the alleged abductors and former cabinet minister Gupta. At a news conference, police also identified four others - including Gupta’s driver - who are believed to have been involved in the abduction, the newspaper said.

After the kidnapping on December 22, the abductors allegedly took Shanghai to Gupta’s home. The victim was later taken to another suspect’s house, where he was held captive for 20 days. He was released earlier this month after a ransom was paid.

Gupta, who remained in custody on Wednesday, has denied the charges and blamed a ‘political conspiracy’ against him. The parliamentarian is expected to be held at least several days as an investigation continues.

Police said two suspects are still at large.