- The Nepali Congress accused the government of misusing state institutions and spreading misinformation to target party leadership for partisan political interests.
- The party demanded an independent investigation into allegations that evidence on Inam Sapkota’s mobile phone was erased while in government custody.
- NC questioned the sudden change in police leadership, suggesting the Inspector General's reassignment was timed to interfere with sensitive ongoing investigations.
- Opposition leaders established a legal task force to challenge government interference and defend freedom of expression and institutional independence.
Kathmandu, Nepal: The Nepali Congress has accused the government of misusing state institutions for partisan political interests, demanding transparency over recent controversies involving party leadership, the handling of evidence in the Inam Sapkota incident, and a sudden shift in police leadership.
Presenting a six-point position paper through General Secretary Pradeep Paudel, the party announced it will respond politically and legally to what it called a conspiracy, misinformation campaign, and targeted misuse of state machinery against its leadership.
Leadership Legitimacy
The Nepali Congress rejected attempts to question the legitimacy of its current leadership, emphasizing that the team elected during its special general convention remains officially recognized by the Election Commission. Addressing the Supreme Court's decision to allow a review of a previous verdict, the party stated that a judicial review does not automatically invalidate the existing judgment or its recognized leadership structure, urging all parties to respect the legal process.
The Inam Sapkota Incident
Central to the controversy are allegations surrounding the handling of evidence in the Inam Sapkota case. Reports allege that Sapkota’s mobile phone—previously in police custody—was transferred to Kumar Ben, Chief Advisor to the Prime Minister, and that data stored on the device was subsequently erased. The Nepali Congress has called for an independent investigation to establish how the device was accessed, who handled it, and whether evidence was deliberately destroyed to interfere with the case.
The incident has also raised questions regarding reported contact between Sapkota and Supreme Court Justice Hari Fuyal. Justice Fuyal acknowledged receiving a call from Sapkota, who identified himself as an associate of the Prime Minister. The party urged an official examination into the nature of the communication to determine if judicial conduct or independence was compromised.
Sudden Change in Police Leadership
Political scrutiny intensified following a sudden Cabinet decision to transfer Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Bahadur Karki to the role of Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, appointing Additional Inspector General Manoj Kumar KC as the new IGP.
While the government characterized the move as a routine administrative reassignment, the Nepali Congress questioned the timing, noting its overlap with the investigation into Sapkota's phone. The party demanded full public transparency, warning that manipulating security agency leadership for political motives undermines public trust in law enforcement and constitutional governance.
Institutional Accountability and Legal Response
Beyond these specific incidents, the opposition party accused the government of pressuring journalists, suppressing freedom of expression, and interfering with independent constitutional bodies.
To lead its response, the Nepali Congress has formed a legal team headed by Pushpa Bhusal to explore legal remedies, while Bhishma Raj Angdembe will coordinate parliamentary action. Senior Vice President Bishwa Prakash Sharma added that party leaders remain fully prepared to cooperate with an impartial investigation.
