KATHMANDU: The past week in Nepal has been politically charged, institutionally revealing, and socially stirring. From the high-profile arrest of royalist figure Durga Prasai to Rabi Lamichhane’s remand and the fusion of fringe parties, recent developments have exposed deep tensions within Nepal’s political, judicial, and civic frameworks.
Here’s a breakdown of the most significant events and their broader implications.
Durga Prasai’s Arrest: Cross-Border Cooperation
Durga Prasai’s informal extradition from India and subsequent arrest marks a significant moment in Nepal’s handling of politically sensitive fugitives. His return—facilitated through diplomatic backchannels despite no formal extradition treaty—suggests increasing regional cooperation when national stability is perceived to be at risk.
More critically, the charges Prasai faces reflect the government’s intent to curb incitement to violence under monarchist and ultra-nationalist banners.
The March 28 protest he co-led, resulting in deaths and property destruction, is being treated as a threat to constitutional order, indicating that the state may now be taking hardline positions against anti-republican elements.
Rabi Lamichhane Behind Bars
Rabi Lamichhane, leader of the populist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), being remanded to prison has sent shockwaves through Nepal’s political landscape.
Lamichhane, a former TV personality turned politician, has continuously branded himself as an anti-corruption crusader. Ironically, he now faces allegations related to cooperative fund misappropriation.
While the judiciary must be respected, his remand has also raised questions about political vendetta and selective enforcement. The RSP’s appeal to the National Human Rights Commission further signals a possible clash between popular mandate and legal accountability. Lamichhane’s statement that “everyone’s test will come” speaks to growing distrust in political neutrality.
Petition filed in SC against ruling to detain Rabi Lamichhane
A petition was filed in the Supreme Court (SC) challenging the decision of the Tulsipur bench of the Butwal High Court to remand Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP0 Chair Rabi Lamichhane to custody in connection with the cooperative fraud case.
On Friday, RSP co-spokesperson Pratibha Rawal said that Rabi’s wife, Nikita Poudel, filed the writ petition at the apex court. Earlier, a joint bench of Justices Ramesh Dhakal and Sweekriti Parajuli of the Butwal High Court overturned an earlier ruling by the Rupandehi District Court and ordered Lamichhane’s detention.
Political Realignment: Janamat Party and NUP Merger
The merger of CK Raut’s Janamat Party and Resham Chaudhary’s Nagarik Unmukti Party into the new Nagarik Janamat Party could recalibrate Madhesh and Tharu politics.
With CK Raut as Executive Chair and Resham Chaudhary as Patron, the alliance attempts to combine ethnic, regional, and populist appeals under one roof. While the structural hierarchy has been settled, Ranjita Shrestha’s absence from the announcement hints at potential internal frictions.
This unification may signal a broader trend of consolidation among regional forces seeking greater national visibility, especially as mainstream parties face declining public trust.
Institutional Movement and Appointments: NRB and NBA
The appointment of Nilam Dhungana as Acting Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank comes at a time when Nepal’s economic credibility is under scrutiny. With ongoing liquidity issues and inflationary pressures, stability in the central bank is vital, though the ad hoc nature of this appointment may not inspire long-term confidence.
Similarly, the Nepal Bar Association elections, which saw Dr. Vijay Mishra elected president, indicate that legal institutions continue to see strong engagement, with bar leaders likely playing important roles in shaping legal discourse around current high-profile cases.
Civil Pressure and Protests on the Rise
Several protests and campaigns throughout the week have added to the nation’s political temperature:
The cooperative and microfinance victims’ protest in Kathmandu shows that economic disenfranchisement is boiling over, and public patience with financial mismanagement is wearing thin.
The RPP rally in Balkhu, coupled with royalist threats of mass arrests, reflects growing monarchist confidence post-Prasai’s arrest.
Mayor Balen Shah’s salary row with his chief administrative officer shows persistent governance gridlocks at the local level, despite public approval of his leadership style.
Environment and Relief: Deterioration and Diplomacy
Kathmandu’s air quality reaching alarming levels, with an AQI consistently over 200, is a stark reminder that environmental health is now a public emergency. The lack of rainfall and ongoing forest fires have exposed how climate mismanagement and poor infrastructure collide in urban Nepal.
On a more positive note, Nepal’s humanitarian gesture toward earthquake-hit Myanmar reflects a growing maturity in foreign aid diplomacy and strengthens its regional humanitarian identity.
In Memoriam: Bhairab Risal
The passing of Bhairab Risal, a pioneer in Nepali journalism, marks the end of an era. His contributions to media integrity and public discourse will serve as a moral yardstick at a time when journalistic independence is under pressure.
Conclusion
Last week’s events, viewed collectively, reveal a country grappling with institutional stress, political realignment, and civil unrest. The state is clearly responding to radical voices, but whether it does so with impartial justice or political convenience remains to be seen. The weeks ahead will test not just individuals like Prasai and Lamichhane, but also Nepal’s capacity for balanced governance, transparency, and reform.
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