KATHMANDU: Cyber crime charges have been filed against three individuals, including the editor and publisher of sidhakura.com.

The Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Editor Nabin Dhungana, Publisher Yubaraj Kandel, and Rajkumar Timalsina, who allegedly provided the audio.

All three have been charged in absentia as they are currently considered fugitives.

sidhakura.com published a news article alleging that a deal was made involving a Supreme Court judge to settle a sting operation case.

The article included audio purportedly from the meeting where the deal was discussed.

Following the publication, the Supreme Court filed a contempt of court petition regarding the matter. Statements from all three accused were taken, and the case has been referred to the full bench for a final decision.

The Supreme Court ordered the police to investigate the audio, and a report was submitted. Based on this investigation, the charges were filed.

During the investigation, the police questioned Timalsina, Kailash Sirohiya (Chairman of Kantipur Publications), SP Sanjay Singh Thapa, Captain Rameshwar Thapa (Chairman of Annapurna Post), journalist Surendra Kafle, senior advocate Hariprasad Upreti, and others.

Timalsina claimed that these individuals were involved in the deal.

The charge sheet states, “The accused have undermined the honor and reputation of the Supreme Court and its honorable judges, created public misconceptions, and spread hatred or animosity. They committed offenses under the Electronic Transactions Act by preparing and broadcasting misleading video clips related to court proceedings, hearings, and verdicts.”