KATHMANDU: The Patan High Court has concluded a hearing on the writ petition filed by suspended Chief of Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Municipal Police, Rajunath Pandey, who challenged his suspension and sought an interim order against the decision.
The hearing took place at Bench No. 9 of the High Court, presided over by Justices Rishi Raj Bhandari and Dilli Ratna Shrestha.
Pandey had filed the petition against Chief Administrative Officer of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Saroj Guragain, who issued the suspension order.
Additional respondents in the case include the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, acting Chief of the Municipal Police Vishnu Joshi, and the Municipal Executive Office.
The incident leading to Pandey’s suspension dates back to Chaitra 21, 2081 BS (early April 2025), when a team of municipal police under his command obstructed Chief Administrative Officer Guragain as he attempted to enter the office. The same day, Guragain took disciplinary action, suspending Pandey from his position.
Following the incident, the Kathmandu Metropolitan City formed an investigation committee led by Administrative Division Chief Dhruva Kafle to probe the matter.
The conflict is rooted in ongoing tension within the city’s leadership, particularly after a months-long controversy over the approval of the Kathmandu View Tower blueprint at the Old Bus Park. Guragain had been on leave for three months following the dispute.
Upon his return to the Kamaladi-based municipal office, Mayor Balen Shah deployed municipal police under Pandey’s leadership to obstruct Guragain from entering the office.
However, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol and several ward chairs accompanied Guragain and ensured he was able to mark his attendance despite the use of force by municipal police.
Guragain has since resumed his official duties, although sources say he and Mayor Shah are no longer on speaking terms.
The court’s decision on whether to issue an interim order is now awaited.
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