Rana Detention Controversy

The Supreme Court justices facing corruption allegations came under fresh pressure to recuse themselves, and Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal remained on leave until November 6. The report said the full court had already called for an impartial investigation and that bench boycotts were being considered if the judges continued to sit.

Rastriya Swatantra Party started internal consultations on whether to move ahead with impeachment proceedings against controversial Supreme Court justices. Party leaders said they were seeking advice from officials, the Speaker and legal experts, while Nepali Congress separately continued pushing for a parliamentary investigation committee.

Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal went on leave until November 6 amid the controversy over his WhatsApp conversations with Inam Sapkota, who is in police custody in a money laundering case. The court’s full bench had urged authorities to investigate and establish the facts.

The Supreme Court said it would not form an internal inquiry committee and instead asked relevant authorities to investigate allegations against justices linked to alleged fixer Inam Sapkota. The decision shifts the next step to Parliament, where an impeachment process could be initiated under Article 101.

Transparency International Nepal called on judges embroiled in the controversy to recuse themselves from judicial work until the allegations are resolved. It also backed a factual parliamentary investigation and scrutiny of the judges’ assets.

The Nepali Congress parliamentary party decided to demand a high-level parliamentary committee to investigate allegations of collusion with middlemen to manipulate court cases. It also urged both houses of Parliament to be convened immediately, arguing a government-led probe may not be impartial.

RSP was reported to be weighing an impeachment motion against Supreme Court justices, with the article outlining the constitutional steps required for removal. The party still falls short of the two-thirds majority needed in the House of Representatives.

Rastriya Swatantra Party decided to begin the parliamentary process for judicial reform after leaked conversations raised new questions about judges’ conduct. Opposition leaders said they may support an impartial investigation, but warned against a selective or politically motivated process.

The RSP secretariat directed its parliamentary party to pursue constitutional action, including possible impeachment, against judges linked to the Inam Sapkota controversy. Party leaders said Parliament was the route for judicial restructuring amid the widening fallout.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party left the decision on whether to launch impeachment proceedings against controversial Supreme Court judges to its parliamentary party. The move followed allegations involving intermediary Inam Sapkota and renewed scrutiny of Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal.

The Supreme Court’s full court met in Kathmandu to discuss recent questions about the judiciary. Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and other judges also said earlier media reports linked to them were misleading.

The Supreme Court’s full court met in Kathmandu to discuss recent questions about the judiciary. Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and other judges also said earlier media reports linked to them were misleading.

A report detailed leaked WhatsApp exchanges between Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal and alleged fixer Inam Sapkota, saying the chats raised questions about attempts to influence Supreme Court proceedings. The controversy also drew Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and other figures into scrutiny.

The Supreme Court Bar Association called for an impartial investigation into reports involving the chief justice and Supreme Court justices. It said the allegations have damaged public trust in the judiciary and centered on the WhatsApp exchanges tied to Phuyal and Sapkota.

Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal said alleged middleman Inam Sapkota tried to influence judges, while Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and Justice Shrikanta Paudel denied contact with people named in the reports. The statements came after leaked material tied the judiciary to alleged financial and intermediary links.

The Nepal Bar Association called for an evidence-based, impartial investigation into the widening allegations around Inam Sapkota and several top officials. It said legal action should follow if wrongdoing is proven.

An article raised serious questions about the impartiality and conduct of Chief Justice Manojkumar Sharma and Justice Hari Prasad Fuyal. It called for an independent investigation, recusal from bench duties, and possible constitutional or impeachment action to restore public trust.

Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal said judges reported Inam Sapkota after he allegedly tried to influence court cases and repeatedly pressed them. Leaked messages reportedly showed Sapkota invoking the prime minister’s interest in a custody matter involving Rohit Gupta.

Published WhatsApp messages showed contact between Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal and alleged fixer Inam Sapkota over a habeas corpus case involving Rohit Gupta. Separate documents circulating online also alleged money transfers linked to Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma and former Nepal Police AIG Bishwaraj Pokharel.

Authorities said they are investigating Inam Sapkota for money laundering and alleged links to former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, senior police officials, judges, and politicians. Investigators said repeated calls between Sapkota and Rana helped expand the probe into possible court influence and security-linked collusion.

Police are investigating Inam Sapkota over alleged links to former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana, senior police officials, judges and politicians in a widening judicial corruption probe. Investigators said repeated calls between Sapkota and Rana helped expand the money-laundering inquiry into possible court influence and security-linked collusion.

Authorities raided the homes of former high court judge Nawaraj Thapaliya, former Supreme Court IT expert Deepak Timilsina, and Nabin Basnyat in the widening probe around Rana. The searches were tied to allegations of bribery, influence-peddling, and security information leaks linked to Rana’s circle.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation raided the homes of Prabhu Shumsher Rana, former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana’s brother, and several associates. The probe was said to be widening around alleged efforts to influence court cases and secure businessman Deepak Bhatta’s release.

Investigators raided the homes of people close to Rana, including Nawaraj Thapaliya, Deepak Timilsina, and Nabin Raj Basnet. One report also said an Armed Police Force additional inspector general was suspended after conversations linked to the case were found on his phone.

Investigators raided former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana’s residence in Maharajgunj and searched homes of several associates as part of a money laundering probe. The inquiry was reported to have widened to examine financial transactions, mobile communications, and possible links among Rana’s contacts.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation raided former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana’s home and seized documents and electronic devices. The probe was described as part of a widening case involving attempts to influence court decisions and related custody actions.

A later report said Rana’s late-night arrest and swift release had prompted controversy over legality and police conduct, with the government maintaining he was rescued over a security threat. It also said the Supreme Court and the National Human Rights Commission had both demanded answers.

The Supreme Court’s full court expressed concern over Rana’s detention and sought clarification from the government. The reaction added another institutional challenge to the legality of the police action.

Nepal’s parliament erupted in criticism over Rana’s unexplained detention, with opposition lawmakers demanding an official explanation and the legal basis for the custody. Lawmakers also questioned why he was taken without a warrant and later released.

The National Human Rights Commission summoned Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office chief SSP Santosh Khadka over the detention and denial of access to Rana. The commission sought clarification on why its team was blocked from meeting him in custody.

The National Human Rights Commission condemned police for denying its team access to Rana while he was held at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office and recommended disciplinary action against the officers involved. The report also said Rana was released to relatives after nearly 12 hours, reinforcing scrutiny of police conduct.

The National Human Rights Commission said police denied its team entry to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office while it was investigating Rana’s detention. The commission said the refusal violated its constitutional inspection powers.

Rana was released after being held for about 10 hours and later handed back to his family. Police said he had been moved to a secure location after being taken from his residence.

Legal experts and a lawmaker criticized Rana’s detention in Kathmandu over the lack of an arrest warrant and the police explanation of a security threat. The report said his residence could have been protected instead of moving him to a police office.

Police said former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was brought to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office for his protection after a reported security threat, not arrested. The report also noted he had been taken from his Maharajgunj residence before dawn and held in Teku.

Nepali Congress objected to Rana’s arrest and said the government had not clearly explained the legal basis for the move. The party called for a transparent, constitutional investigation and warned against arbitrary action.

Police took former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana from his Maharajgunj residence around 3 a.m., citing a security threat. Authorities did not publicly clarify whether he was arrested or held in protective custody.

Former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was arrested at his Maharajgunj residence in Kathmandu by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office. Police initially did not provide further details on the basis for the arrest.

Former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was taken from his Kathmandu home around midnight and held at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office before being released the next day without charges. New reports said police cited a security threat, but the legal basis and chain of authority remained unclear.

Police arrested alleged fixer Inam Sapkota on September 27 as the judiciary-linked investigation widened. New reports say the complaint that led to his arrest came from judges after he allegedly pressured them by invoking senior political and security officials.