Kathmandu: A Nepalese court on September 22 ordered international criminal Charles Sobhraj be detained for one week to enable investigations on charges that he violated immigration laws.

Kathmandu District Chief Judge Om Prakash ordered that Sobhraj be remanded for seven days to allow police more time to investigate.

Sobhraj, nicknamed as "the serpent" for his talent at disguise and escapes, was arrested from a casino in Kathmandu on September 19. He is wanted by Nepalese police for the 1975 murders of an American and a Canadian woman.

He is also accused of murdering dozens of tourists across Asia.

Legal officer Shambu Marasini said, "We are moving a case against Sobhraj under the Immigration Act 2049 and if convicted, he can be sentenced to a maximum of five years of imprisonment and Rs 50,000 fine.

"We are in the process of verifying documents to move the case against Sobhraj," he said adding he has violated the immigration law by travelling on fake travel documents.

Sobhraj has been accused of travelling on a double passport, one French and the other Dutch under two names.

Under the law he can be remanded for a maximum period of 25 days and if the remand period is insufficient to move the case it can be extended, he said.

Sobhraj is currently in police custody at the Special Crime Branch of the District Police Office at Hanumandhoka.

PTI