Ex-chief justice Jwaba, held at midnight, handed to family after nearly 11 hours

Former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Jwaba returned home on Sunday after being freed from police control. He was taken from his residence in Maharajgunj at midnight on Saturday and handed over to his family on Sunday afternoon, about 11 hours later.

SP Rameshwar Karki, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, confirmed that Jwaba had been handed over to his family. He was kept at the office in Teku, in the chamber of office chief SSP Santosh Khadka.

SSP Khadka claimed Jwaba was brought to the office after information about a security threat was received, and that this was not an arrest. However, police have not disclosed what the threat was or who it came from.

A team from the National Human Rights Commission that went to Teku to meet him was not allowed inside by police. Lawyers, including Nepal Bar Association chairperson senior advocate Dr Birendra Prasad Mishra, have questioned the process by which he was taken into control. They said that while security could be increased if there was a threat, taking a person into control required a clear legal basis.

The government has not officially disclosed the reason for the action. According to police, Jwaba himself said he would be safer at home, after which he was taken to his residence. Police said additional security arrangements have now been made at his residence.