The detention hearing for former Prime Minister and CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairman Madhav Kumar Nepal has begun at the Special Court in Kathmandu. The hearing commenced shortly after his statement was recorded earlier today.
Senior Advocate Sushil Pant opened the defense argument, while Special Government Prosecutor Mohan Sagar Basnyat and his team are representing the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
The CIAA has also prepared to deploy several deputy attorneys general and has allowed external legal experts to argue the case, a rare move only seen in major corruption cases—similar to when it hired former Attorney General Dr. Yubraj Sangraula during the Kanak Mani Dixit case.
Over 100 Lawyers Backing Madhav Nepal
According to Advocate Parivartan Rai, more than 100 lawyers have filed power of attorney (wakalatnama) to argue on behalf of Madhav Nepal. The former PM himself signed these authorizations.
Prominent senior advocates like Krishna Prasad Bhandari, Shambhu Thapa, former Law Minister Govinda Bandi, Raman Kumar Shrestha, Sabita Bhandari, and Tikaram Bhattarai are among them.
However, due to time constraints, only a select number of lawyers from both sides will be allowed to speak during today’s hearing.
