Nepal Police Crackdown: Journalists Detained Over Leaked Chats Linking Justice to Convict
Nepal Police raid newsrooms and detain journalists after reports surfaced of a WhatsApp chat between a Supreme Court Justice and a convict.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the media landscape, the Nepal Police launched a series of raids on newsrooms on Friday, taking several journalists into custody for questioning. The crackdown follows the publication of explosive reports regarding alleged illicit communications between a high-ranking Supreme Court Justice and a convict currently in judicial custody.
Newsroom Raids and Detentions
The police operation involved officers in plain clothes entering various media offices to apprehend reporters. One such incident occurred at the online portal Nepal Press, where journalist Bishwamani Subedi was taken from his desk. CCTV footage released by the media house shows three plainclothes officers entering the office and directing Subedi to accompany them. While the officers asked for his cooperation, the media house noted that no official warrants were presented during the arrest.
Matrika Poudel, the editor-in-chief of Nepal Press, confirmed that officers claimed Subedi was needed for a "discussion." Subedi was later released late in the evening.
The crackdown extended to other outlets as well:
- Naya Patrika Daily: Officers from the Metropolitan Crime Division barged into the newsroom searching for journalist Navaraj Mainali, intending to take him to the Cyber Bureau.
- Diyo Post: Police visited the office of this online news outlet seeking the editor-in-chief and news coordinator, though they left empty-handed after failing to find them.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Awasthi of the Cyber Bureau confirmed that Subedi and others were brought in for questioning, though he declined to provide specific details regarding the legal grounds for their detention.
The Spark: The WhatsApp Leak
The police action comes immediately after the Naya Patrika published a report detailing a WhatsApp exchange between Supreme Court Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal and Inam Sapkota. Sapkota is accused of using his connections with powerful figures to manipulate state institutions and is currently in judicial custody.
The leaked conversation suggests a disturbing level of interference in judicial proceedings. In the chat, Sapkota reportedly sent Justice Phuyal a screenshot of a habeas corpus petition filed by businessman Rohit Gupta. Sapkota urged the Justice to dismiss the petition, claiming that Prime Minister Balendra Shah was interested in the matter, stating, "Please stop this, Sir... The prime minister is also interested in this matter. Please dismiss it."
The response from Justice Phuyal was equally concerning. He reportedly replied that there were grounds to release Gupta and mentioned that the court had ordered a bail of NRs 20 million. Furthermore, the Justice shared a link to the court order and suggested a meeting with Sapkota at Hotel Himalaya the following evening.
Wider Implications and Allegations
The controversy does not end with Justice Phuyal. Media reports based on data recovered from Sapkota’s phone have pointed toward other high-profile figures. Documents suggest bank deposits totaling 198,333 in an unspecified currency over a three-month period were made into accounts associated with:
- Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma
- Bishwaraj Pokharel, a lawmaker from the Rastriya Swatantra Party
- Banshiraj Dahal, a senior police officer
The revelation of these communications and financial records has raised serious questions about the integrity of the Nepali judiciary and the potential influence of "fixers" within the highest levels of government and law enforcement.