KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you key developments from across Nepal, covering politics, business and economy, sports, entertainment, and other major events of the day.
Constitutional Council recommends Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma as next Chief Justice
A meeting of the Constitutional Council convened on Thursday afternoon at the call of Prime Minister Balen Shah has recommended Supreme Court Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma for appointment as the next Chief Justice of Nepal. Sharma was recommended ahead of senior-most Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla to lead the country’s judiciary. The meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Shah in his capacity as chairperson of the Constitutional Council, endorsed Sharma’s name for the top judicial post. Sharma will formally assume office as Chief Justice after completing the parliamentary hearing process.
Jagadish Kharel says he will seek legal action over ‘media trial’
Former Communications Minister Jagadish Kharel has said he will seek legal remedy, claiming that he has been subjected to a “media trial.” Kharel, who is also a lawmaker from the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), accused certain media outlets and social media users of deliberately spreading “fake news” by linking his name to various allegations. In a social media post, Kharel urged the public not to be misled by what he described as planned and misleading narratives.
Three arrested in Kirtipur murder case
Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the murder of a young man in Kirtipur. According to the Kathmandu District Police Range, 22-year-old Bipin Ghimire was attacked with a sharp weapon and killed near Chiya Sagar in Podetol, Kirtipur Municipality-10, at around 2:20 pm on Baisakh 23. Ghimire was originally from Dhurkot Rural Municipality-7 of Gulmi and had been residing in Dhalpa, Kirtipur-3.
Protesters demand demolition of Chhaya Devi Complex over heritage concerns
A protest was held in Kathmandu on Thursday demanding the demolition of the Chhaya Devi Complex, with demonstrators claiming the commercial structure was built after encroaching on the historically significant Kamalpokhari pond. The demonstration was organized at Maitighar Mandala by the Heritage Conservation Society and the Indigenous Newa Political Campaign. Protesters argued that the complex was constructed by filling in the historic, cultural, archaeological, and religiously important public pond and called for the site to be restored to its original state.
India assures uninterrupted supply of fuel and fertilizers to Nepal
India has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted supply of petroleum products and chemical fertilizers to Nepal, describing bilateral ties as “multidimensional.” During a weekly media briefing on Thursday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said trade and strategic cooperation between Nepal and India remain strong. Responding to a question about the supply of essential goods to Nepal, Jaiswal said the import-export process between the two countries is continuing smoothly.
CIAA files corruption case over Pokhara International Airport project with Rs 3.62 billion claim
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court over alleged large-scale financial irregularities linked to the construction of the Pokhara Regional International Airport, seeking recovery of more than Rs 3.62 billion in damages. In a statement issued on Thursday, the anti-graft body said former Finance Minister Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, senior government officials, and a Chinese contractor company have been named as defendants for allegedly granting tax exemptions in violation of the original contract agreement, causing losses to the state treasury. According to the CIAA, the agreement signed between the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal and China CAMC Engineering Co. Ltd. required the contractor to bear all taxes and duties related to the project.
Officials of Rastriya Banijya Bank, ADBL resign
Some officials of Rastriya Banijya Bank and Agricultural Development Bank Limited have resigned from their positions. The resignations came from chairpersons and board members who were either appointed by the previous government or were serving on behalf of the government in the banks’ boards of directors. At Rastriya Banijya Bank, chair Dev Kumar Dhakal tendered his resignation. Likewise, at Agricultural Development Bank Limited, Chairperson Dim Prasad Poudel and other board members resigned on Wednesday.
Court orders release of Ambika Basnet, 9 others on bail
Mahesh Basnet’s wife Ambika Basnet has been released on bail. The order was issued on Thursday by a single bench of Judge Mahendra Bahadur Karki at the Kathmandu District Court, which directed the release of all 10 accused, including Ambika, on bail in connection with an alleged assault case involving Shobha Pathak, also known as Januka Pathak, at Maitighar Mandala. 4The Kathmandu District Police Range had filed the case after extending the investigation period based on a complaint lodged by Shobha Pathak of Dhading, alleging that she had been assaulted by Ambika and nine others.
Car destroyed in fire after rockfall on Narayanghat-Mugling road section
A car was destroyed in a fire on the Narayanghat-Mugling road section along the Prithvi Highway on Wednesday afternoon after a rock fell onto the vehicle, police said. According to the Mugling Area Police Office, the incident occurred at around 3:15 pm near the Tuin Khola area when a rock falling from above the road struck the petrol tank of a car bearing registration number BAD 4014, which was traveling from Narayanghat toward Mugling. Police said the area had been experiencing continuous rockfall, increasing risks for vehicles passing through the route.
FNCCI hands certificates to newly elected leadership led by Anjan Shrestha
The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on Thursday handed over certificates to newly elected President Anjan Shrestha and other members of the executive committee. The certificates were distributed by the election committee of the federation’s 60th General Assembly during a program held at the FNCCI Secretariat in Kathmandu. Following the certificate distribution, outgoing FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal administered the oath of office and secrecy to President Shrestha, who in turn administered the oath to other office-bearers and executive committee members.
Displaced riverbank squatters demand housing and jobs after eviction drive
Hundreds of families displaced after the government cleared informal settlements along riverbanks in the Kathmandu Valley are now living in temporary holding centers, where they say uncertainty about housing, livelihoods, and their future continues to haunt them. While many acknowledged that food and shelter arrangements at the holding centers are manageable, they say the facilities cannot replace the sense of security and belonging they lost after their homes were demolished. The displaced families have urged the government to immediately arrange proper housing and employment opportunities, saying they have nowhere else to go.
Foreign Minister Khanal meets SAARC Secretary-General Mohammad Golam Sarwar
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal held a meeting on Wednesday with SAARC Secretary-General Mohammad Golam Sarwar. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening and making regional cooperation within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) more effective. The two sides also exchanged views on enhancing regional partnership, mutual cooperation, and making the role of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation more active in promoting regional collaboration.
4.1-magnitude earthquake jolts Dhading
An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale struck Dhading district at 11:14 am on Thursday, according to the Department of Mines and Geology. The epicenter was located in Charangphedi, said Dr. Lokvijay Adhikari, chief of the National Seismological Measurement and Research Centre. Tremors were felt in Dhading and adjoining districts, he added. No damage or casualties have been reported so far.
NC cannot stay silent against autocratic tendencies: Niskal Rai
Nepali Congress (NC) Chief Whip Niskal Rai is regarded as an intellectual young leader with a strong interest in research and public policy. Elected from Ilam Constituency-1 on March 5, Rai is the same age as current Prime Minister Balendra Shah. He says the Prime Minister should move beyond populism and focus on socialism and people-oriented governance. Born in 2047 BS in Suryodaya Municipality-4, Ilam, Rai has long been involved in politics alongside studies, research, social service, and the monitoring and evaluation of educational and financial institutions. Beginning his political journey through the Nepal Students’ Union, he studied management at Shankardev Campus.
Two people died in separate incidents in Khotang on Wednesday, one from electrocution and the other after falling from a cliff. Anand Rai, 43, of Batase in Diprung Chuichumma Rural Municipality-4, died after being electrocuted while climbing a utility pole to replace a transformer fuse and restore electricity supply to the village, according to Batase Ward Chairman Babendra Rai. He died on the spot on Wednesday evening. In a separate incident, 45-year-old Sunil Karki of Mahadevsthan, Halesi Tuwachung Municipality-7, died after falling from a cliff while on his way to clear a water source blocked by flood debris, said Mahadevsthan Ward Chairman Kamal Giri.
Gold and silver prices rise in Nepal
Gold and silver prices increased in the Nepali market on Thursday, according to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association. The price of gold rose by Rs 1,800 per tola. The federation has fixed the price of gold at Rs 298,600 per tola for today. On Wednesday, gold was traded at Rs 296,800 per tola. Similarly, the price of silver also increased by Rs 100 per tola. Silver, which was traded at Rs 5,055 per tola on Wednesday, is now priced at Rs 5,155 per tola.
CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel has said that linking the recent electoral defeat of the leftist forces in India’s Kerala state to a supposed crisis in Nepal’s communist movement is an incorrect interpretation. Taking to social media on Thursday, Pokharel argued that the future of Nepal’s leftist forces should not be judged on the basis of a single election outcome, but on its long-term agenda, activities in the interest of the people and the nation, and its engagement with the public.
BP Highway reopens after three days of closure
The BP Highway, which had been blocked due to flooding, has reopened after three days. Traffic along the route resumed this morning after the construction of a temporary diversion. The District Police Office has urged travellers to use the route only for essential purposes, as rainfall continues in the area. The highway was closed after flooding in the Roshi River during heavy rain last Monday. Police said traffic is being halted whenever it rains, as the temporary diversion built along a four-kilometre stretch in the Roshi area remains vulnerable to damage. Following the closure, vehicles were held at Dhulikhel and Kavrebhanjyang in Kavrepalanchok, and at Mangaltar and Nepalthok in Sindhuli.
PM Balen Shah unlikely to visit India or China before completing 100 days in office
Prime Minister Balen Shah is unlikely to undertake any foreign visit, including to neighboring India and China, before completing 100 days in office, according to sources at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Officials said the government has prioritized delivering visible results during its first three months in office in line with electoral commitments, making foreign travel a low priority for the prime minister at this stage. Although the Indian side has reportedly shown keen interest in hosting Shah in recent weeks, sources said there is little possibility of a visit taking place before mid-June unless there is a dramatic political or diplomatic shift.
Business enterprises urged to participate in national economic survey
The National Statistics Office (NSO) has urged business enterprises across the country to participate in the ongoing Second National Economic Survey, which began on April 15. NSO Director Dr Bed Prasad Dhakal said trading and business firms from both the formal and informal sectors have been requested to take part in the survey. According to Dr Dhakal, data are being collected from sectors including agriculture, mining, manufacturing, industry, trade, private enterprises, banks and financial institutions, cooperatives, and other businesses.
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