Cholendra Shamsher not arrested, brought in for security, police claim; leaders object

Police have claimed that former Chief Justice Cholendra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana was not arrested but brought to the police office for security reasons. SSP Santosh Khadka said Rana is still with the police for security purposes and will be sent home or kept safe elsewhere once his safety is ensured.

A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office had arrived at Rana's residence in Maharajgunj around 12:30 am. After about one and a half hours of discussion, the team took him to the police office at around 2 am.

CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokharel said via Facebook that the former Chief Justice had been arrested without any evidence, calling it a serious violation of the law and the justice system. UML Central Member Bishnu Rijal also objected to the former Chief Justice being taken from his home at midnight.

Progressive Democratic Party leader and former Home Minister Janardan Sharma questioned how justified it was to keep the former Chief Justice at the police office citing security reasons. Gen-Z activist Majid Ansari criticized the government, saying he was taken into custody without a court arrest warrant.