The Supreme Court has issued a letter to release Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP) patron Resham Chaudhary from custody.
A Supreme Court source informed Setopati that the apex court has sent a letter to the police to release Chaudhary, who was arrested from Kamaladi in Kathmandu earlier on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, police have detained Mahiman Singh Bista of the Supreme Court's Case Section who had written the letter to arrest Chaudhary.
The Supreme Court sent a letter to the police on Wednesday morning directing the latter to arrest Chaudhary.
Acting on the letter, the police arrested Chaudhary from the Nepal Academy premises at Kamaladi in Kathmandu, where the unification of the Janamat Party and the NUP was set to be announced, and handed him over to Dilli Bazar Prison.
The police said that the letter instructing Chaudhary’s arrest was sent by the Supreme Court’s Case Section.
The letter has reached Nepal Police and Dilli Bazar Prison as well. Superintendent of Police Apil Raj Bohara at the District Police Range, Kathmandu, confirmed to Setopati that the letter was received on Wednesday.
A source at Dilli Bazar Prison also confirmed receiving the letter on Wednesday. The letter from the Supreme Court bears the signature of Section Officer Mohiman Singh Bista. However, the letter has caused a stir in the Supreme Court, with sources saying efforts are underway to understand the issue.
No Supreme Court justice has issued a ruling ordering Resham Chaudhary’s arrest. However, the Supreme Court’s Case Section sent the letter based on a precedent set in the case of Yograj Dhakal (Regal) in November 2023.
Sources said that the Supreme Court’s Case Section does not have the authority to issue a letter regarding the implementation of the verdict of one case based on the precedent of another.
The Office of the Attorney General is also reportedly taking interest in the matter and making inquiries with the Supreme Court.
“After receiving the Supreme Court’s letter, the police had to detain him, and the government did so. However, from what we’ve understood, there has been no order from the Supreme Court. It seems some employee there may have made a mistake. As soon as the Supreme Court issues a correction, we will comply. Resham Chaudhary was detained based on the Supreme Court’s letter, and if the Supreme Court orders his release, we will release him immediately,” a source at the Office of the Attorney General told Setopati.
