KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
Rabi Lamichhane to remain in prison as Supreme Court labels him mastermind in cooperative fraud case
In a major legal blow to one of Nepal’s most prominent political figures, the Supreme Court has upheld an earlier decision to place Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) Chair Rabi Lamichhane in judicial custody over his alleged role in a large-scale financial fraud involving a savings and credit cooperative in Butwal.
The court’s decision, delivered by Justices Nahakul Subedi and Bal Krishna Dhakal, concluded that Lamichhane was not only involved in the case but served as the mastermind behind the fraudulent misuse of public savings collected by the Supreme Savings and Credit Cooperative.
The controversy revolves around millions of rupees that were unlawfully diverted from the cooperative to Gorkha Media Network, a media company Lamichhane co-founded. The Supreme Court’s 19-point decision outlined that Lamichhane, despite denying knowledge of the funds’ origins, was actively engaged in the financial and operational management of the company from its inception.
International Everest Summiteers’ Summit set for May 27
For the first time, the International Everest Summiteers’ Summit 2025 will take place in Kathmandu on May 27, organized by Everest Alliance Nepal.
Sudarshan Nepal, chair of the organizing committee, shared that the summit will bring together national and international Everest climbers from Nepal and around the world.
The event aims to unite mountaineering experts, policymakers, conservationists, tourism stakeholders, local entrepreneurs, Sherpa guides, trekkers, and mountain communities on one platform to discuss sustainable tourism, Himalayan environmental protection, and community development.
Home Ministry denies Minister Lekhak’s involvement in visa scandal
The Ministry of Home Affairs has clarified that Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has no involvement in the alleged “visit visa” scandal at the Tribhuvan International Airport’s Immigration Office.
In a statement released on Friday, the ministry strongly refuted media reports and social media claims suggesting the ministry’s, or the minister’s, involvement in the case of alleged illegal monetary dealings linked to visit visa processing.
“The news circulating on some media platforms is baseless, misleading, and unfounded,” read the ministry’s statement. It further stated that Minister Lekhak had no connection with the issue and urged the media to publish reports based on verified facts.
Home Minister promises to speak soon on ‘visit visa’ scandal
Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has said that the Ministry of Home Affairs will soon issue a formal statement regarding the growing controversy over the alleged ‘visit visa’ racket at Tribhuvan International Airport.
Speaking at a party event organized by the Nepali Congress Dhanusha chapter on Saturday, Lekhak stated that he had deliberately remained silent for a few days to investigate the matter thoroughly.
“A lot is being said on Twitter. I remained quiet for a few days because I was trying to understand where it was coming from,” he said. “I’ve now come to know quite a bit. The ministry will issue a statement later today.”
Minister Gurung stresses investigative journalism
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Prithvi Subba Gurung, has laid emphasis on investigative journalism.
During a discussion on women’s participation and development in journalism organized by the Ministry and the Sancharika Samuha Gandaki Province in Pokhara today, Minister Gurung argued, “The content cannot be factual if there is no investigative journalism. So, all should pay heed to it.”
The people have been getting misinformation about the issues related to promotion of national welfare due to misuse information technology, he added.
17 Dalits killed due to discriminatory practices over 14 years
Despite long-standing advocacy for an inclusive and equitable society, Dalit communities in Nepal continue to suffer from deeply entrenched social discrimination.
Although the Constitution and related legislation guarantee rights to Dalits, justice remains largely out of reach.
It has been 14 years since the Caste-based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2011, came into force. However, incidents of caste-based discrimination and untouchability have not subsided.
With governor’s appointment, NEPSE sees best week in months
After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the government appointed economist Dr. Biswo Nath Poudel as the new Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank last Tuesday. The decision has had a significant and immediate impact on Nepal’s stock market, with the NEPSE index experiencing a notable rise throughout the trading week.
The Nepal Stock Exchange (NEPSE) had been stagnant for weeks as investors awaited the appointment of a new governor. With Dr. Poudel’s appointment, confidence surged in the market. Over the five trading days from May 18 to 22, NEPSE rose by 76.7 points, averaging a daily increase of 15.34 points.
The index climbed from 2,611.85 points at the start of the week to close at 2,688.55 points. During the week, NEPSE reached its highest point at 2,771.47 and dipped to a weekly low of 2,605 points.
Deuba: Public must know leaders’ contributions
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba stressed the importance of showcasing the contributions of party leaders to the public.
He made these remarks on Saturday while addressing the first memorial service of the late Khagendra Raj Regmi, a former Nepali Congress leader, former Syangja district president, and former Member of Parliament.
Speaking in Kathmandu, Deuba highlighted the necessity of informing the public about the significant contributions made by party leaders in service of the nation.
Directly elected executive system necessary for country: Prachanda
Chairperson of the CPN (Maoist Centre) Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized the need for a directly elected executive presidential system in Nepal.
Speaking at a gathering in Pokhara under the party’s “People’s Awakening Campaign for the Mid-Hill Highway,” Dahal said that the campaign also aims to educate and mobilize the public in favor of an executive presidential system.
“When the constitution was drafted through the Constituent Assembly, we had already warned that the current system would not bring political stability or economic prosperity,” Dahal stated. “We currently have a republic of one type and an electoral system of another. Now, we must prepare the people for a directly elected executive structure.”
Clash between yarsagumba collectors in Dolpa; two warning shots fired
A clash broke out between two groups of Yarsagumba collectors on Saturday afternoon in Thala Lek, located in Thuli Bheri Municipality-1 of Dolpa district.
According to Armed Police Deputy Superintendent and Assistant Spokesperson Shailendra Thapa, the conflict arose between locals from Maikot Rural Municipality of Eastern Rukum and those from Kaike Rural Municipality and Thuli Bheri Municipality of Dolpa. The dispute was reportedly over territorial boundaries related to Yarsagumba collection.
The clash involved an estimated 600 to 700 individuals. To bring the situation under control, a security team from Armed Police Force Nepal, deployed under the command of an Armed Police Sub-Inspector from No. 46 Battalion Dolpa, fired two rounds of warning shots using SLR rifles.
Home Minister should resign over visit visa scandal: Dr. Shekhar Koirala
Senior Nepali Congress leader Dr. Shekhar Koirala has said that Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak should resign on moral grounds following his alleged involvement in the recent “visit visa” scandal.
Speaking to journalists in his hometown Biratnagar on Saturday, Koirala said that since the Immigration Department falls directly under the Home Ministry, the minister must take responsibility.
“The most important thing here is that this issue directly concerns him, as the immigration office is under his ministry,” Koirala said. “He should say, ‘I am clean, but for the sake of moral responsibility, I resign—now go ahead and form an investigation committee.’”
IT associations submit 41-point feedback on e-governance blueprint
Three leading associations from Nepal’s information technology sector have submitted a 41-point feedback on the “E-Governance Blueprint 2024,” a strategic plan aimed at transforming the government’s public service delivery system into a more digital, transparent, and effective model.
The Computer Association Nepal Federation (CAN Federation), the Center for Cyber Security Research and Innovation (CSRI Nepal), and the Information Security Response Team Nepal (NPCERT) jointly presented their feedback to Chunamani Poudel, Secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, on Friday.
CAN Federation Acting President Chiranjivi Adhikari expressed confidence that key policy approaches—such as the “Digital by Default” strategy, promotion of public-private partnerships, and the “One Citizen – One Dashboard” concept—would pave the way toward an inclusive digital future.
Landslide blocks Kaligandaki Corridor
The Kaligandaki Corridor, a national pride project, has been obstructed due to a landslide triggered by continuous rainfall.
The road was blocked after a landslide occurred in Dabalyang of Baglung Municipality-10 due to the incessant rain that started on Friday evening.
According to Police Inspector Keshav Thapa of the District Police Office, Baglung, the obstruction of the corridor has halted both long and short-distance vehicular movement. Efforts are underway to clear the road using machinery, stated Inspector Thapa.
Pun calls to end elite’s use of inclusive quotas
CPN (Maoist Centre) Deputy General Secretary Barshaman Pun stated that the decade-long People’s War ensured equal rights in the state for communities and regions previously marginalized by the unitary and centralized feudal system.
Speaking at an event in Palpa, Pun emphasized that the constitution not only enshrines the principle of equality for all regions, castes, and communities in the eyes of the state but that this principle is already being implemented.
Pun highlighted the significant entry of marginalized groups into government service, noting that out of approximately 100,000 civil servants, 28,000 are women. He added that Dalit, Janajati, Madhesi, and Tharu employees are now commonly found in government offices, describing this as a historic achievement and a revolution.
Nagdhunga-Naubise road to be partially closed from today
Starting today, May 24, the Nagdhunga-Naubise section of the Tribhuvan Highway—the main gateway into Kathmandu—will be partially closed for 16 days.
The Nagdhunga-Muglin Road Project (Eastern Section) has announced that the 1.8-kilometer stretch from Nagdhunga to Pipla Mode will be closed daily from 10:30 am to 3 pm during this period.
Vehicles traveling from Kathmandu to Naubise will be stopped at the Nagdhunga check post, while those coming from Naubise to Kathmandu will be halted at Khanikhola Bazaar.
Kanti Lokpath blocked by flooding after heavy rainfall
Kanti Lokpath, which connects Hetauda to Kathmandu, has been completely blocked since Friday night due to flooding triggered by heavy rainfall.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Shyamu Aryal, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Makawanpur, the blockage occurred after floodwaters washed away the gravel-filled side of the Bagmati Bridge. The bridge links Bhimphedi Rural Municipality-8 in Makawanpur with Bagmati Rural Municipality-2 in Lalitpur.
“As a result, the road is fully obstructed and all vehicular movement has come to a halt,” said DSP Aryal, adding that efforts are underway to clear the road.
Bhaktapur chess competition sees participants aged 8 to 68
The Kumar Gwachha Memorial Open FIDE Rapid Rating chess competition has started in Bhaktapur, featuring national and international players ranging in age from 8 to 68 years.
Organized by Bhaktapur Youth Team Golmadi, the tournament has attracted 127 players, including five women, from India, England, and 25 districts across Nepal.
Among the participants are four players from India and one from England. Gyanendra Khaiju, Nepal’s first international arbiter, shared that five rounds were completed on Friday, with four more scheduled for Saturday.
ANNFSU begins delegate selection for 24th National Convention
The All Nepal National Free Students’ Union (ANNFSU), the student wing of the CPN-UML, is set to hold its 24th National Convention from June 8 to 11 in Kathmandu.
According to ANNFSU Central Spokesperson Prakash Paudel, the process of selecting representatives for the convention has officially begun nationwide from today. He stated that the selection process is being carried out in a fully democratic, transparent, and organizational manner.
This convention comes at a time when Nepal’s student politics is undergoing significant shifts, and the ANNFSU aims to strengthen its ideological and organizational foundation.
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