Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has issued a clarification denying media and social media rumors about plans to abolish the lottery-based case assignment system. Court Spokesperson Arjun Prasad Koirala stated that no formal discussions have occurred regarding an alternative, deeming the reports baseless. The lottery system, implemented in 2021 for transparency, remains operational.

The Supreme Court has canceled the arrest warrant issued against former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba in a money laundering investigation, providing them temporary relief. The court cited legal and procedural issues, including a recently introduced ordinance for money laundering cases, as reasons for its decision. This action comes after Interpol had previously refused Nepal's request for a Red Notice against the couple due to insufficient grounds and evidence.

The Supreme Court has issued a directive order to the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to ensure good governance within the banking sector. This ruling clarifies that actions taken by the NRB against bank directors and CEOs, even warnings, can lead to legal disqualification, rejecting arguments that such actions are merely routine.

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order preventing the arrest of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba in a money laundering investigation. The court found that the Department of Money Laundering Investigation and Kathmandu District Court did not follow proper legal procedures when seeking and granting the arrest warrant, stating the process appeared non-compliant with prevailing laws.

Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai has been released from custody by the Parsa District Court on general bail, following charges of cybercrime and offenses against the state. The court ordered his release after finding insufficient basis to substantiate the prosecution's claims, a decision influenced by a prior Supreme Court directive to avoid prolonged detention.

A family in Biratnagar claims they were unlawfully evicted from their ancestral home of generations by a local resident, Parshuram Sah, who purchased the land in 2012. The Supreme Court ruled in Sah's favor on February 27, 2025, upholding his right to possess the land but stipulated that the family could not be forcibly evicted until their houses became unlivable, while also prohibiting them from making repairs.

The Supreme Court has issued an interim order preventing the arrest of former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana Deuba. The court ruled that the arrest warrant issued by the Kathmandu District Court was invalid because jurisdiction for such cases now lies with the Special Court, especially after an ordinance on May 1. The Deuba couple is currently abroad.

The Nepali government is proceeding with new political appointments in vacant positions despite ongoing controversies and legal challenges. Complaints have been filed regarding transparency and meritocracy in appointments, leading to Supreme Court intervention in at least one case. The reappointment of previously dismissed officials at Kathmandu University has also sparked dissatisfaction among professors.

The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to submit a written explanation within 24 hours regarding the arrest of medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai, responding to a habeas corpus petition. The court also directed that Prasai should not be kept in detention beyond Sunday if the investigation is not completed, and if no case is filed, he must be released.

Medical businessman Durga Prasai has been formally charged at the Parsa District Court following the submission of a police investigation report recommending charges under the Electronic Transactions Act and for offenses against the state. The case is based on Prasai's statements made on YouTube channels and public appearances, where he allegedly used defamatory remarks against women and belittled state institutions. The Supreme Court has ordered Prasai's release from custody.