Former Nepal Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana has been detained by police in Kathmandu following a formal complaint. The arrest comes days after the Supreme Court directed the government to release his retirement benefits, citing incomplete impeachment proceedings. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges, as the investigation remains in its early stages.
Former Nepal Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana was taken into custody by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office on Sunday. The arrest occurred at his private residence in Kathmandu after a formal complaint was lodged with local authorities. This development marks a notable turn for a prominent legal figure who previously occupied the highest judicial office in the Himalayan nation.
Impeachment and Pension Context
The arrest takes place against a backdrop of prolonged legal uncertainty. In February 2022, the Nepalese Parliament initiated impeachment proceedings against Rana, which triggered an automatic suspension under constitutional rules. The proceedings remained unresolved for an extended period, creating a state of legal limbo. Recently, the Supreme Court of Nepal intervened, ordering the government to release his pending pension and retirement benefits. The court reasoned that the failure to reach a conclusion in the impeachment process necessitated his financial rehabilitation.
Historical Judicial Role
Cholendra Shumsher Rana served as a key figure in Nepal's political landscape during his tenure. He is particularly recognized for presiding over the constitutional bench that challenged the 2021 dissolution of Parliament by the then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. The bench’s verdict to invalidate that dissolution resulted in the reinstatement of the legislature and led to the subsequent appointment of Sher Bahadur Deuba as Prime Minister. That decision shifted the nation's political trajectory at the time.
Investigation Status
Law enforcement officials have indicated that the current investigation into the complaint is in its infancy. Police have not yet released specific details regarding the nature of the allegations or the exact charges associated with the detention. The situation remains fluid, and further information is expected to be provided by authorities as the probe continues.