Today’s News in a Nutshell

KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.

Arzu Rana Deuba among 18 named as CIAA files major corruption case

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court over alleged irregularities in the electronic passport (e-passport) printing and procurement process, naming 18 individuals, including Arzu Rana Deuba as one of the key accused. The anti-graft body registered the case on Monday at the Special Court in connection with alleged financial and procedural irregularities in the procurement and implementation of the e-passport system. Among those named in the case are former Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, senior officials of the Department of Passports, and representatives linked to foreign contractor companies involved in the project.

Rs 10.13 billion passport procurement corruption case filed, officials and foreign firms named

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has filed a corruption case at the Special Court, Kathmandu, over alleged irregularities in the procurement of the Electronic Machine Readable Travel Document System (EMRTDS) under the Department of Passport. The anti-graft body has accused collusion with two German companies, Muhlbauer ID Services GmbH and Veridos GmbH, claiming that the bidding process was manipulated and contract terms were altered to favor them. According to the CIAA, the irregularities caused an estimated loss of Rs 10.13 billion to the Government of Nepal. The commission has stated that public procurement rules were violated during multiple stages of the tender process.

UML Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel arrested

CPN-UML Vice Chair Bishnu Prasad Paudel has been arrested in connection with a money laundering investigation. Paudel, who also previously served as deputy prime minister and finance minister, was taken into custody on Monday while in Surkhet to participate in the party’s election review and organisational campaign. Police said he is currently being held at the District Police Office in Surkhet as authorities continue the investigation. Sources said a team from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation also carried out a search at Paudel’s residence in Bhaisepati, Lalitpur, following the arrest.

PM Balendra Shah does not follow advice: Bhimarjun Acharya

Constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya has said that Prime Minister Balendra Shah is not a person who listens to others or takes advice, describing his decision-making style as highly individualistic. Speaking to Khabarhub, Acharya said, “Prime Minister Balendra Shah is not someone who operates on the basis of advice or suggestions. He does what he feels is right at that moment and speaks accordingly. He does not require anyone’s advice.” His remarks come amid ongoing political discussion following Shah’s address at the first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party in Chitwan on Sunday, where the Prime Minister made comments regarding the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), stating that officials could be questioned for up to five years if necessary.

RSP convention extended to June 24 amid delegate dispute

The first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party has been extended until June 24 after a dispute over convention delegates disrupted the scheduled proceedings. Although the convention began on Sunday, the closed-door session planned for Monday could not be held, affecting the overall timetable of the gathering. According to organisers, the delay was caused by discrepancies in the delegate list, including instances of duplicate names that required verification and correction before the session could proceed. Convention Organising Committee spokesperson Manish Jha said the convention will now continue until June 24.

RSP convention delayed as delegate dispute disrupts schedule

A dispute over the selection of convention delegates has disrupted the schedule of the first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, forcing the postponement of Monday’s planned closed-door session. The delay comes as party officials continue efforts to correct and verify the list of convention delegates, a process that has taken longer than expected. According to the party’s Central Election Commission, the closed session will now begin on Tuesday morning. The postponement has also affected the party’s election schedule, raising the likelihood that the convention will be extended by an additional day.

Paudel, detained over money laundering probe, being flown to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj

Former Finance Minister and CPN-UML Vice Chair Vishnu Prasad Paudel has been taken into custody for investigation in connection with a money laundering case and is being brought to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj, police said. According to the District Police Office, Surkhet, Paudel was detained on Monday evening based on an arrest warrant issued by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, Pulchowk, Lalitpur. Police said he was located at Shubh Hotel in Birendranagar Municipality–3, Surkhet, during a search operation carried out after receiving an official email from the department directing his arrest under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008.

Beep edits in ‘Comedy Darbar’ trigger censorship row and free speech debate

Director Bikey Agrawal-led television program Comedy Darbar has come under public discussion following an alleged telephone directive from the Press Council Nepal, which reportedly influenced edits in its latest episode. In the ninth episode of the program, viewers noticed multiple instances in which the audio was muted with a beep—reportedly 11 times—during segments featuring dialogue referring to a speaker-like character. The muted sections were not related to obscene language, but were reportedly used when the phrase “Honorable Speaker” was mentioned during a parody performance.

RSP finalises six convention reports as closed session delayed over delegate dispute

The first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party has finalised six key reports to be presented in the closed session, with party chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader and Prime Minister Balendra Shah reportedly giving the documents final shape after hours of discussions. According to the secretariat, the two leaders held intensive consultations for three to four hours before endorsing the reports, which are now ready for presentation at the convention.  However, despite the completion of the reports, the closed session has been delayed due to unresolved disputes over delegates. Sources said most issues related to the party secretariat and central committee structure have been settled, but final agreement on delegate representation is still pending.

Nepal remains on FATF grey list after failing to meet anti-money laundering benchmarks

Nepal has once again failed to secure removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list, with the global anti-money laundering watchdog deciding to keep the country under enhanced monitoring. The decision was made during the FATF Plenary and Working Group meetings held in Paris, France, where member states reviewed progress made by countries identified as having strategic deficiencies in combating money laundering and terrorist financing. The FATF, an intergovernmental body established to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism, classifies countries with serious deficiencies under either a “grey list” or a “black list” based on their compliance with international standards.

Nepal’s public debt nears Rs 3 trillion, rises by Rs 117 billion under current government

Nepal’s total public debt has climbed close to the Rs 3 trillion mark, reaching Rs 2.96 trillion by mid-June of the current fiscal year 2025/26, according to the latest report of the Public Debt Management Office. The report shows that Nepal’s total public debt stood at Rs 2.961 trillion as of the end of Jestha, an increase of Rs 287.14 billion compared to the beginning of the fiscal year. Of the total increase, approximately Rs 117.25 billion was added during the past three months following the formation of the government led by Prime Minister Balen Shah.

Nepal’s imports approach Rs 1.9 trillion in 11 months as trade deficit widens

Nepal imported goods worth nearly Rs 1.9 trillion during the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, according to the latest data released by the Department of Customs on Monday. The department reported that merchandise imports totaled Rs 1.894 trillion during the review period, representing a 15.16 percent increase compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year. Exports also recorded growth during the period. According to customs data, Nepal exported goods worth Rs 277.97 billion in the first 11 months of the fiscal year, up 12.28 percent from Rs 247.57 billion recorded during the corresponding period last year.

RSP to make Central Committee more inclusive

The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is set to adopt a more inclusive leadership structure through amendments to its party statute ahead of its first national general convention. Under the proposed amendments, women will be guaranteed representation in key leadership positions, including the post of vice president, as part of the party’s commitment to inclusiveness. According to Ganesh Parajuli, a member of the statute amendment committee, the revised statute requires that at least one of the party’s three vice presidents be a woman. The new leadership structure will comprise one president, three vice presidents—including one woman—two general secretaries, and five joint general secretaries, with at least one of the latter positions reserved for a woman.

RSP convention will send message of unity, says spokesperson Manish Jha

Manish Jha, spokesperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has said the party’s first national general convention will deliver a strong message of unity and organizational clarity. Speaking from Chitwan, where the party’s convention is underway, Jha said the gathering would reinforce internal cohesion and strengthen the party’s institutional framework. “Party President Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah have already made it clear that the first general convention will send a message of unity,” Jha said.

PM Balendra Shah does not follow advice: Bhimarjun Acharya

Constitutional expert Bhimarjun Acharya has said that Prime Minister Balendra Shah is not a person who listens to others or takes advice, describing his decision-making style as highly individualistic. Speaking to Khabarhub, Acharya said, “Prime Minister Balendra Shah is not someone who operates on the basis of advice or suggestions. He does what he feels is right at that moment and speaks accordingly. He does not require anyone’s advice.” His remarks come amid ongoing political discussion following Shah’s address at the first general convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party in Chitwan on Sunday, where the Prime Minister made comments regarding the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), stating that officials could be questioned for up to five years if necessary.

Beep edits in ‘Comedy Darbar’ trigger censorship row and free speech debate

Director Bikey Agrawal-led television program Comedy Darbar has come under public discussion following an alleged telephone directive from the Press Council Nepal, which reportedly influenced edits in its latest episode. In the ninth episode of the programme, viewers noticed multiple instances in which the audio was muted with a beep—reportedly 11 times—during segments featuring dialogue referring to a speaker-like character. The muted sections were not related to obscene language, but were reportedly used when the phrase “Honorable Speaker” was mentioned during a parody performance.

Borrowers protest over missing gold collateral at Rastriya Banijya Bank

Individuals who had kept gold as collateral for loans at a branch of the state-owned Rastriya Banijya Bank staged a protest at the bank’s central office in Singha Durbar Plaza on Monday, demanding compensation for gold lost during the Gen-Z movement. The protesters gathered outside the bank’s headquarters, accusing the management of failing to provide relief or a clear solution months after nearly 18 kilograms of gold and more than Rs 52.5 million in cash were reportedly stolen from the bank’s New Baneshwor branch during the protests. According to the demonstrators, the missing gold had been deposited as collateral against loans. They argued that the bank should return gold equivalent to the amount pledged rather than shifting responsibility onto customers.

Former RPP chairs criticize party leadership, seek reforms in joint statement

Three former chairmen of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have issued a joint statement expressing serious dissatisfaction with the party leadership’s working style following their boycott of the party’s recent Central Working Committee meeting. In the five-point statement, former party chiefs Pashupati Shamsher Rana, Prakash Chandra Lohani and Kamal Thapa said they decided to clarify the reasons behind their absence from the meeting held in Kathmandu on June 19 and 20, citing concerns raised by party members and supporters.

Nepal Photo Library warns of legal action over manipulated images from RSP convention

Nepal Photo Library has expressed serious concern over the manipulation and misuse of its official photographs taken during the first national convention of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) in Chitwan, warning that legal action will be pursued against those responsible. In a statement issued on Monday, the photo agency said images captured by its photojournalists during the convention, which began in Chitwan on Sunday, had been altered and shared on social media in a misleading and out-of-context manner. According to the statement, several Facebook pages and personal accounts manipulated the photographs and reposted them with misleading narratives. Nepal Photo Library also noted that its name and photo credit had been used on the edited images without authorization.

Former minister and veteran Nepali Congress leader Rajendra Kharel passes away at 80

Veteran Nepali Congress leader and former minister Rajendra Kharel has passed away at the age of 80. Kharel died on Sunday night at Frontline Hospital in Baneshwor, where he had been undergoing treatment for asthma and other health complications.  Born in 1946 in Kharelthok, Kavre, Kharel was widely regarded as an idealistic and dedicated leader within the Nepali Congress.

Journalist arrested after assault on ward chairperson in Kanchanpur

Journalist Aishwarya Kunwar has been arrested on allegations of assaulting and misbehaving with Ward Chairperson Rabindra Devkota of Bhimdatta Municipality–18 during a public event in Mahendranagar. The incident occurred on Sunday at a hotel hosting a training program on drug abuse awareness. A dispute reportedly broke out between Kunwar and Devkota, and a video circulating on social media appears to show the journalist physically confronting the ward chairperson. A police team from the local ward police office arrived at the venue and detained Kunwar from the scene.

Gold price rises by Rs 1,400 per tola, silver also up

The price of gold increased in the domestic market on Monday, reversing part of last week’s decline. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold rose by Rs 1,400 per tola to reach Rs 288,700. Gold had been traded at Rs 287,300 per tola on Sunday. However, the current price remains lower than last Monday’s rate of Rs 298,200 per tola. Silver prices also recorded an increase on Monday.