KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Nepali Congress leader and former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka on Thursday.
A joint bench of Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla and Justice Shrikanta Paudel issued the order following a hearing on a habeas corpus petition filed on Khadka’s behalf by Binita Thapa.
Khadka had been in custody after being arrested on charges of money laundering by the government led by Balen Shah. He was detained in connection with an investigation into cash allegedly found burned at his residence in Sankhuwasabha during the Gen-Z movement.
The court had earlier, on Wednesday, refused to release him after a hearing conducted by Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Shanti Singh Thapa. However, the case was scheduled for further hearing on Thursday, leading to the release order.
Khadka was arrested on March 29, and the Department of Money Laundering Investigation has been probing the case. The Supreme Court had also directed authorities to submit a written response and investigation files by noon Thursday.
According to the court, the charges against Khadka may be subject to settlement based on existing legal precedents.
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