KATHMANDU: The Nepal Medical Council (NMC) has decided to suspend Dr Yashoda Rijal, who has already been convicted by a court for preparing fake medical documents intended to influence judicial proceedings.
The decision was taken by a full meeting of the Council after mounting public and institutional pressure over its failure to act despite the court verdict. Dr Rijal has been suspended for two months on a temporary basis, with the Council saying further action will depend on the final ruling of the appellate court.
The Council also decided to issue a warning to another doctor and to initiate an investigation against a third, though it said these decisions will be formally disclosed only after 72 hours.
According to the Council, Dr Rijal has filed an appeal against the district court verdict, and on that basis, she has been placed under temporary suspension for two months. However, the delay in disciplinary action despite her conviction has raised serious questions about the credibility and effectiveness of Nepal’s medical regulatory body.
Court verdict
On July 7, 2025, the Kathmandu District Court, in a bench led by Judge Mona Singh, convicted Dr Yashoda Rijal and her father Diwakar Rijal, sentencing them to one month in jail each and a fine of Rs 5,000. The court ruled that the two had prepared false medical documents to influence a judicial process.
The case is linked to a rape allegation. The survivor had accused Diwakar Rijal of sexual assault, saying the two became acquainted during a property dispute case and that he later exploited that relationship. In an attempt to escape liability, Diwakar submitted documents claiming he was admitted at Kharanitar Hospital in Nuwakot at the time of the alleged rape.
However, the court found that the documents were fabricated by Dr Yashoda Rijal, who was serving in a senior position at the same hospital. The records falsely stated that Diwakar had been hospitalized overnight for high blood pressure.
Prior warnings ignored
Following a complaint filed by the survivor at the Ministry of Health and Population on October 16, 2022, the ministry carried out an investigation and concluded that there had been a serious breach of professional ethics. It formally asked the Medical Council to take action.
The ministry’s letter pointed out several glaring irregularities, including the same person appearing in both court and hospital records on the same day, medical documents issued without billing, and certificates prepared without naming the responsible doctor.
Despite this, the Council failed to take timely action, prompting criticism that it was shielding a convicted doctor and undermining professional accountability.
With the temporary suspension now in place, attention has turned to whether the Medical Council will take stronger disciplinary measures once the final court verdict is delivered.
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