Author: space4knews

Judges currently reside in the old ministerial residence located in Pulchok, Lalitpur. As the government begins allocating Pulchok quarters for newly appointed ministers, some judges residing there are planning to relocate. The presence of both ministers and judges in the same compound raises concerns about potential impacts on the administration of justice, prompting preparations for alternative housing arrangements. After the ministers moved to the Bhaisepati residence, the Pulchok quarters were designated for judges and the Chief Registrar. However, the Bhaisepati residence became uninhabitable following arson during the January movement. Kathmandu, 15 Chaitra.

Since the government started accommodating new ministers at Pulchok quarters, certain judges have started planning their relocation, at least temporarily. The prospect of ministers and judges sharing the same compound led to efforts to devise alternative arrangements, as it might affect the impartiality and functioning of the judiciary. Ministers shifted to a newly established, well-equipped residence in Bhaisepati, after which the Pulchok residence has been occupied by judges.

The arson attack during the January movement caused significant damage to the new ministerial residences in Bhaisepati. Except for the Defense Minister’s residence, all others became unsuitable for habitation. Following the January movement, the interim government designated all ministerial residences as minister quarters. A Supreme Court judge stated, “Currently, renovation and repainting are underway in at least five houses in the Pulchok quarters. Some ministers will move in soon,” he added, “While those of us living outside have no problem, judges residing there have started feeling uncomfortable.”

According to a judge residing at the Pulchok residence, judges are discussing two options. One is to live nearby, though frequent visits and meetings raise concerns about potentially compromising judicial independence, so efforts to regulate this matter are ongoing. “Such arrangements relate to the code of conduct, so it would be difficult to live that way,” the judge explained, “but moving out from here is also problematic, so we remain uncertain.” There are currently 19 buildings in the Pulchok quarters, connected to the Harihar Bhawan compound. Since the Chief Justice resides at the Baluwatar residence and some judges live in their own homes, not all quarters are in use.

March 29, Kathmandu – Birajbhakta Shrestha, Minister of Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, engaged in discussions with senior officials of his ministry regarding the overall status, progress to date, existing challenges, and the forthcoming work plans. According to his secretariat, Minister Shrestha closely examined the progress of various projects and programs under the ministry, emphasizing the importance of making service delivery more effective, transparent, and citizen-oriented.

The minister highlighted that achieving the government’s goals for sustainable development in the energy sector, optimal utilization of water resources, and expansion of irrigation systems to boost agricultural production requires clear action plans, timely implementation, and a responsible work approach. Additionally, he underscored the need to cultivate coordination, discipline, and a result-focused work culture within the ministry. Minister Shrestha instructed staff to perform their duties with complete commitment, integrity, and high morale.

Emphasizing prioritizing results that citizens can directly perceive, he noted the necessity for all parties to unite in advancing towards self-reliance in the energy sector. Minister Shrestha expressed his commitment to enhancing the ministry’s overall efficiency by converting upcoming challenges into opportunities and ensuring effective coordination between policy, planning, and implementation.

The District Court of Kathmandu has issued an order mandating effective medical arrangements for the treatment of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Oli is currently undergoing monitoring with a Holter monitor to evaluate heart rhythm issues. He has previously undergone two kidney transplants and has been diagnosed with gallstones.

March 29, Kathmandu – On Sunday, the District Court of Kathmandu directed authorities to ensure adequate medical care for former Prime Minister and UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, who is in police custody. Since Saturday morning, Oli has been receiving treatment at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (Maharajgunj). The attending physicians report that his health condition is stable. A Holter monitor has been placed on him to continuously monitor heart irregularities.

Doctors admitted Oli to the hospital Saturday morning after detecting an irregular heartbeat. Cardiologists and thoracic vascular transplant specialists at the Manmohan Cardiothoracic Vascular and Transplant Center have been overseeing his care. While X-rays revealed gallstones, medical teams plan to decide by Monday whether surgery is necessary.

Due to his history of two kidney transplants, doctors have placed Oli under close observation. After his arrest Saturday morning, police transferred him to the hospital for medical examination. On Sunday, the District Court extended his detention and reiterated the need for appropriate medical arrangements. Senior Superintendent of Police Ramesh Thapa confirmed that Oli will remain hospitalized.

The government has decided to eliminate partisan trade unions within public administration and end political interference, mandating civil servants to perform their duties without affiliation to any party or interest group. Conflicting views have emerged between supporters and opponents of trade unions as the government prepares to draft a Civil Service Bill within 45 days.

Kathmandu, 15 Chaitra – Among the 100 administrative reform agendas ratified by the cabinet on the day the government was formed under senior Rastriya Swatantra Party leader Balendra Shah, the 12th point highlights the plan to abolish partisan trade unions in public administration. The aim is to end unwanted interference and informal pressure, thereby streamlining decision-making and service delivery. The government intends to maintain public administration free from political influence, ensuring it remains impartial, neutral, and accountable to citizens.

Accordingly, “Civil servants, including teachers and professors, will be required to perform their duties without any direct or indirect affiliation to political parties, groups, or interest centers; legal action will follow any violations.” However, discussions around abolishing partisan trade unions have revealed divided opinions.

Administrators and former employees largely support the government’s move, while union-affiliated staff members oppose it. Administration expert Kashiraj Dahal remarked that calls to remove partisan trade unions have existed for some time but never succeeded. “All parties have experienced the influence of trade unions during their governance, but none managed to remove them. This decision should be welcomed and implemented,” he added. Some former employees also argue that party-affiliated unions are unnecessary.

Revenue officer Shailendra Singh considers failure to dissolve party-aligned unions a barrier to civil service reform. “Apart from party-linked unions, faction-based unions have also emerged. Official trade unions are acceptable, but the sooner party-affiliated unions are dissolved, the better it is for everyone,” he asserted.

Party-affiliated unions legally incorporated under the National Trade Union Network include Nepal Civil Service Employees Union, Nepal Civil Servants Organization, Nepal National Civil Service Employees Organization, Unified Government Employees Organization, Madhesi Civil Service Employees Forum, and Independent Civil Servants Employees Organization.

After the government’s decision, the Civil Service Employees Union chairman Uttam Kutuwal noted ongoing internal consultations, stating, “We are not a partisan trade union but a national-level trade union defined by law.” Similarly, Lalbabu Yadav, chairman of the Madhesi Employees Forum, denied that his organization is partisan. Registered in Magh 2065 (Nepali calendar), it advocates for the rights and interests of Madhesi, Tharu, Muslim, and Dalit employees. “Being a partisan organization is not desirable, but unions formed for protecting employee rights are necessary,” Yadav explained.

Bhavani Nyaupane Dahal, chairperson of the Civil Service Employees Organization, mentioned that legal consultations are underway and all trade unions are preparing a joint stance. They appear to disagree with the government’s decision. “We have attained trade union rights through struggles, and many comrades lost their jobs for this cause. We are ready to correct shortcomings but abolition is unacceptable,” she stated.

Party-aligned employee organizations began to proliferate following 2048 BS (Nepali calendar). The Nepali Congress-led government at the time reversed disciplinary actions against nearly 1,000 employees who were punished during labor movements. After the political parties formed, employees reportedly stopped respecting political leadership.

Some union officials even reportedly showed disrespect towards the prime minister. Former Prime Minister Sushila Karki noted employees’ non-compliance. Former Public Service Commission chair Umesh Prasad Mainali explained that post-2046 BS political changes saw the creation of party-affiliated employee organizations aimed at fueling and suppressing employee movements alternately. According to Mainali, these organizations neglected their duty to work for employee welfare and instead focused on transfers and promotions. Political parties began to accept their recommendations, weakening discipline.

Mainali also noted that the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) had the most influence among employee organizations. “UML was more proactive than other parties. While nepotism existed in Congress, UML relied more strongly on party loyalty and aimed for partisan infiltration of administration,” he said.

Implementation Challenges of the Abolition Decision

Article 34(3) of the Constitution of Nepal guarantees every worker the right to form and join trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. Additionally, Section 53 of the Civil Service Act 2049 outlines trade union provisions. Proponents of trade unions argue these legal provisions necessitate their continued existence.

Former chair Punya Prasad Dhakal emphasized management’s role, stating, “An official trade union is necessary. The Constitution and national and international laws must be respected.” Constitutional expert and administrator Kashiraj Dahal clarified that national and international laws ensure rights for labor and capital-related trade unions but that policy-making officials should not have trade unions. “If all employees are given trade union rights, then judges and security personnel would also need to be accorded such rights.”

The government plans to draft a federal Civil Service Bill within 45 days. The bill had previously stalled during the federal parliament’s legal process. However, implementation is expected to face significant challenges. Administrator Dahal recommends thorough legal amendments to ensure effective policy implementation following the government’s decision.

March 24, Kathmandu – The court has authorized the continued detention of CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, along with Congress leader and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, for further investigation. On Sunday, Judge Anand Prasad Shrestha of the Kathmandu District Court issued an order to extend their custody by 5 days, according to information provided by Deepak Kumar Shrestha. The government prosecutor had requested custody for up to 10 days for investigative purposes.

The protests of September 7 and 8, known as the Janajati agitation, were subject to suppression. At the time, KP Sharma Oli was the Prime Minister and Ramesh Lekhak was the Home Minister. The commission formed to investigate the repression during the agitation recommended criminal proceedings against Oli and Lekhak. Based on these recommendations, the necessary arrest warrants were issued and both were taken into custody on Saturday morning. Lekhak appeared in court in person today, while Oli joined virtually from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital due to health concerns.

Mahesh Basnet, Secretary of the CPN-UML, has claimed that there is a conspiracy to arrest him. He stated that this plot is aimed at weakening the movement against party Chairman KP Sharma Oli. Basnet revealed that a false complaint was lodged against him three years ago, which police later confirmed as fabricated. He added that a supplementary complaint has since been registered and the case is currently under review.

Basnet accused Home Minister Sudan Gurung of orchestrating efforts to file information against him, saying, “There is a conspiracy to arrest me to undermine the retaliatory protests against our Chairman, KP Sharma Oli.” He explained that three years ago, a fake individual was presented by a third party to lodge a false complaint against him, which was subsequently proven fake through police investigation.

He further stated, “This act is a wrongdoing executed under the authoritarian style of the government led by Balendra Shah and the leadership of Home Minister Sudan Gurung.” Basnet denied rumors claiming he was unreachable or absconding, calling such reports entirely false and misleading. He also accused these rumors of being spread deliberately to confuse public opinion.

Members of the Koshi Province Assembly have demanded the release of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. The assembly members allege that these leaders were arrested as a form of political retaliation, criticizing the commission’s report formed to investigate the events of Bhadra 23 and 24 as biased. They have also warned of the risk that the new government may destabilize the country by taking political revenge against opposing leaders.

Biratnagar, 15 Chaitra – Lawmakers from Koshi Province have called for the immediate release of former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli and former Home Minister and Nepali Congress leader Ramesh Lekhak. Both were detained on Saturday on charges related to the suppression of events that occurred on Bhadra 23 and 24. During Sunday’s provincial assembly session, members condemned the arrests as politically motivated and demanded their release.

Assembly members Dolma Tamang, Sirjana Rai, Kishorchandra Dulal, Meena Shrestha, Geetadevi Regmi, Khageshwari Paudel, and Home Bahadur Thapa stated that the new government’s move to initiate arrests is inappropriate and urged immediate release. They cautioned that such actions might lead to instability within the country. Speaking at the session, UML member of parliament Tilakumar Menyangbo described the arrests as objectionable and highlighted the risk that the commission’s report, tasked with investigating the Bhadra 23 and 24 incidents, could push the country toward conflict.

Kathmandu District Court has extended the deadline by five days to ensure effective medical treatment for former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Oli was arrested at his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur, and admitted to the hospital. He appeared virtually at the court hearing.

The commission investigating the crackdown on the January 23-24 protests recommended criminal charges against Oli and Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak. At the time of the protests, Oli was Prime Minister and UML chairman, while Lekhak was serving as Home Minister.

On 15 Chaitra (April 28), the Kathmandu District Court, presided over by Judge Anand Prasad Shrestha, ordered arrangements for effective medical treatment for Oli, extending the deadline by five days. “It has been noted that the accused KP Sharma Oli is unwell and undergoing treatment at the hospital; therefore, an order has been issued to ensure effective treatment,” Judge Shrestha stated in the order.

Due to his illness, Oli appeared virtually in court. He was arrested on Saturday morning from his residence in Gundu, Bhaktapur.

The recent protest movements in Bhadra (September 8-9) witnessed a crackdown. The investigative commission recommended initiating criminal proceedings against Oli and Lekhak in connection with the suppression of these protests.

March 30, Kathmandu – In late January 2025, the Government Attorney’s Office prepared to drop the case against UML Lumbini Provincial Assembly member Rekha Kumari Sharma. A file recommending that the case not proceed was prepared by the District Government Attorney’s Office in Kathmandu and forwarded through the Senior Government Attorney’s Office to the Attorney General’s Office. Notably, on May 27, 2024, a metropolitan survey team had rescued a girl from Sharma’s home after she reported continuous violence against her. Following the survey, the metropolitan office secured her rescue. However, by the last week of January, the file reached the Attorney General’s Office with a recommendation not to pursue the case.

Reacting to this incident, then Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor and current Prime Minister Balen Shah stated that the time would come for justice. At that time, Mayor Shah posted: “Sorry Nanu, the government has decided not to proceed with the case against your abusers. Do not be afraid. The time will come. For reducing such discrimination and crimes and for prosecuting offenders, many children like you must be educated and society must understand.”

On Sunday at midnight, the police arrested MP Sharma from Kathmandu.

March 29, Kathmandu – A total of 67 members of the House of Representatives have taken their oath in 18 different languages other than Nepali. Among these, the highest number, 21 members, took their oath in Maithili. The elections were held on February 21, and the elected MPs took the oath of office and secrecy on March 26.

The Rashtriya Swatantra Party (RSP) holds the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives with 182 members. The Nepali Congress is the second-largest party with 38 seats, followed by the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) with 25 MPs, and the Nepali Communist Party with 17 MPs. The Shram Sanskriti Party, a new party that made a notable entry in this election, is the fifth-largest party with 7 MPs. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has 5 MPs, and there is one independent MP. All elected members took their oath on March 26.

Mumbai Indians defeated Kolkata Knight Riders by 6 wickets in an IPL cricket match. Opener Ryan Rickelton scored 81 runs and Rohit Sharma contributed 78 runs, forging a 148-run partnership for the first wicket. Mumbai successfully chased the target of 221 runs with 5 balls remaining, securing their first opening match victory in 13 years.

March 29, Kathmandu — Opener duo Ryan Rickelton and Rohit Sharma shared a century partnership with half-centuries, leading Mumbai Indians to an impressive IPL victory. The match, held Sunday evening at Wankhede Stadium, saw Mumbai overcome Kolkata Knight Riders by 6 wickets. Mumbai achieved the 221-run target set by Kolkata with 5 balls to spare, losing 4 wickets in the process. This chase marks Mumbai’s highest ever in the IPL.

Playing their 300th T20 match, Mumbai set a new milestone in this game. Rickelton scored 81 runs off 43 balls, including 4 fours and 8 sixes, while Rohit contributed 78 runs off 38 balls with 6 fours and 6 sixes. Together, they posted a 148-run opening partnership. Tilak Varma added 20 runs off 14 balls. Captain Hardik Pandya remains unbeaten on 11, and Naman Dhir is not out on 5, both currently at the crease.

For Kolkata, Vaibhav Arora, Sunil Narine, and Kartik Tyagi took one wicket apiece. Rickelton was dismissed via run-out.

After winning the toss, Kolkata chose to bat first and posted 220 runs for the loss of 4 wickets in 20 overs. Ajinkya Rahane scored 67 runs off 40 balls, including 3 fours and 5 sixes. Angkrish Raghuvanshi contributed 51 runs, Finn Allen scored 37 runs, and Rinku Singh remained unbeaten on 33 runs.

Mumbai’s Shardul Thakur took 3 wickets for 39 runs in 4 overs, while captain Hardik Pandya claimed 1 wicket.

This victory marks Mumbai’s first opening game win in the IPL since 2013, ending a decade-long streak of opening match defeats.