KATHMANDU: Stay updated with Nepal News’ evening briefing, bringing you the day’s most important developments from Nepal and across the globe. From politics and economy to sports, entertainment, and culture, we deliver a concise roundup of the top news you need to know.

Oli and Lekhak Remanded for Five More Days in Custody

KP Sharma Oli, chairman of the CPN-UML and former Prime Minister, along with Ramesh Lekhak, a leader of the Nepali Congress and former Home Minister, have had their custody extended by five days by the District Court Kathmandu for further investigation. Both leaders were arrested on March 28 in connection with the Gen-Z protest held on Sep 8 and 9. A petition for direct custody inspection was filed on their behalf on March 29. During the initial hearing on March 30, the court issued a “show cause” order to the government. The arrests followed a decision by the Cabinet to implement the report of the former Justice Gauribahadur Karki-led commission, which had investigated the Gen-Z protest incident. The police took both Oli and Lekhak into custody as part of this investigation.

Government Declares Saturday-Sunday Holidays for Gov Offices

The Government of Nepal has decided to grant holidays on Saturdays and Sundays for government offices and educational institutions. The decision was made at a cabinet meeting held on Sunday at the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Office in Singha Durbar. Government spokesperson Sasmit Pokharel announced that the new schedule will come into effect from tomorrow. According to Minister Pokharel, the decision was prompted by disruptions in the supply of petroleum products caused by the ongoing war in West Asia. Additionally, the cabinet decided that the official working hours for the specified offices, excluding educational institutions, will remain from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Education Minister Pokharel clarified that this schedule applies only to government offices, not schools.

Nepali Congress Leader Deepak Khadka Remanded to Custody for Seven More Days

Deepak Khadka, a leader of the Nepali Congress and former Energy Minister, has been ordered to remain in custody for an additional seven days. The District Court Kathmandu granted the extension to allow further investigation into a money laundering case against him. Earlier, following his initial arrest, the court had provided a 10-day remand period for investigation.

UML Lumbini Province Lawmaker Rekha Sharma Released

Rekha Sharma, a lawmaker from the CPN (UML) in the Lumbini Province Assembly, has been released following an order from the District Court Kathmandu on Sunday. The court concluded that there were no sufficient grounds to keep her in custody. The bench of Judge Jagat Paudel based its decision largely on the earlier ruling by government attorneys not to pursue the case. In its order, the court stated that the evidence presented did not clearly substantiate serious allegations against Sharma, including claims that she had kept a minor in servitude. The court also noted that the alleged victim was regularly attending school and that Sharma appeared to have been acting in a guardian-like role, as indicated in the case records. Earlier, the Office of the Attorney General had decided on May 30, 2025, not to file charges in the case.

Government Appoints Dr Narayan Kandel as Attorney General

The government has appointed Dr. Narayan Kandel as the Attorney General, the chief legal advisor to the state. The decision was made during a cabinet meeting held today. As Attorney General, Dr Kandel will serve as the government’s principal legal advisor and lead the country’s public prosecution system. The office is responsible for overseeing government lawyers, directing the prosecution of criminal cases, and representing the state in all legal proceedings.

RSP Chairman Lamichhane Confident of Speaker Aryal Strengthening Parliamentary Practices

Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has expressed his confidence that newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR), Dol Prasad Aryal, will play a significant role in strengthening parliamentary practices by making the Lower House of the Federal Parliament more effective, swift and result-oriented. Congratulating Speaker Aryal on his election, Lamichhane said he believed that the Speaker would discharge his responsibilities in an impartial, balanced and accountable manner while upholding the dignity, decorum and effectiveness of Parliament. He commended Aryal’s vision of building Parliament into an effective, accountable and people-oriented institution through cooperation and coordination with all political parties and lawmakers.

SC Officer Bista Convicted Over Fake Letter Leading to Resham Chaudhary’s Arrest

The District Court Kathmandu has convicted Mahimansingh Bista, a section officer at the Supreme Court of Nepal, in a document-related offense. He was found guilty for issuing a fake letter that led to the arrest of Resham Chaudhary, a patron and former lawmaker of the Nagarik Unmukti Party. Following the incident, Bista himself was arrested. The verdict was delivered by Judge Khimananda Bhusal, who also ordered a separate hearing to determine the sentence, including possible imprisonment and fines. Under legal provisions, cases that may result in more than three years of imprisonment require a separate sentencing hearing. The forged letter, issued on 29 April 2024, had instructed authorities to send Chaudhary to jail while his case was still sub judice. However, once the letter was deemed unauthorized and illegal, Chaudhary was released within hours. The Supreme Court subsequently issued another official letter to prison and police authorities, facilitating his immediate release, while action was taken against Bista.

Kandel Assumes Office as Attorney General

Newly appointed Attorney General, Dr Narayan Datt Kandel, has formally assumed office, signaling the start of a tenure likely to focus on governance and financial accountability. Dr Kandel took the oath of office and secrecy on Sunday before Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla, before proceeding to the Office of the Attorney General to assume his duties. Speaking after taking charge, Dr Kandel expressed confidence that collaboration with the country’s intellectual and professional community could contribute to strengthening Nepal’s criminal justice system. He emphasized that his office would provide legal counsel to the government strictly within the framework defined by the Constitution and prevailing laws. He also indicated a clear policy direction. With the government prioritizing good governance, Dr Kandel said his office would place special emphasis on cases involving economic crimes and the misuse of public property, aiming to pursue them more effectively.

Search Operation: 226 People Arrested in Four Days

Nepal Police has arrested 226 people in four days during search operations conducted at various places against illegal activities including hooliganism, illegal brokering, and indecent behavior. Nepali Police Central Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General of Police Abi Narayan Kafle shared that 226 people were arrested and legal action has been initiated under the campaign since April 1. According to the details made public by the Police Headquarters, 51 people were arrested from Kathmandu Valley, 19 from Koshi Province, seven from Madhes Province, 23 from Bagmati, two from Gandaki and 11 from Karnali from April 1 to 3. Similarly, eight people were arrested from Madhes Province, 10 from Gandaki, four from Lumbini and two from Sudurpaschim Province and 62 people were arrested from Kathmandu Valley on the April 4. Spokesperson Kafle said that legal action has been initiated against those arrested and the campaign will continue.

Business Tycoon Shankar Agrawal Released

Businessman Shankar Agrawal, chairman of the Shankar Group, has been released by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI). He was taken into custody Friday night. DMLI Director General Gajendra Thakur confirmed that Agrawal was released after providing his statement regarding the investigation. Agrawal is one of Nepal’s top industrialists. He founded the Shankar Group in 1979, which has grown into one of the largest and most diversified business conglomerates in Nepal. Headquartered in Kathmandu, the group comprises over 40 companies across multiple sectors, including Jagdamba Steels, Jagdamba Motors, Shaurya Cement, Riddhi Siddhi Cement, Himalayan Re-Insurance, Union Life Insurance, Jagdamba Enterprises, Jagdamba Flour & Agro, Jagdamba Mobiles, Jagdamba AlcoBev, Jagdamba Overseas, Jagdamba Hospitality (Hilton Hotel), Modikhola Hydropower, Balefi Hydropower, and Jagdamba Hire Purchase, among others. The Shankar Group has a long-standing legacy in Nepal’s business sector, tracing its origins to 1935 when Agrawal’s father, the late Rawat Lal Agrawal, first established the family enterprise. Over the decades, the group has provided a wide range of globally recognized products and services nationwide.

Dr Gautam Elected President of Ayurveda Medical Association

Dr Shankar Gautam has been elected the President of the Nepal Ayurveda Medical Association. The 11th National Assembly of the Association on Saturday elected a new 25-member working committee under the leadership of Dr Gautam. Likewise, Dr Ramesh Poudel has been elected as the senior vice-president, Dr Sirjana Shrestha as the women vice-president, Dr Rishikesh Bhusal as the general secretary, Dr Deepak Kumar Mandal as the secretary and Dr Sijan Koju as the treasurer, according to the outgoing president of the association, Dr Shyambabu Yadav. In addition, Dr Bijay Kumar Singh has been elected as the provincial vice-president in Koshi, Dr Shiva Narayan Gupta in Madhesh, Dr Devendra Kumar Yadav in Bagmati, Dr Nagendra Lamichhane in Gandaki, Dr Kailash Neupane in Lumbini, Dr Sudarshan Pokharel in Karnali and Dr Himal Bhatta in Sudurpaschim.

Manjushree Trail Race to Take Place from April 17 in Kathmandu

The Manjushree Trail Race is set to take place from April 17 to 19, starting and ending at Chandragiri Patale Ban Resort after covering trails across the Kathmandu Valley. The race will feature five categories: 100 miles, 80 km, 50 km, 20 km, and 10 km. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, organizers announced that the event will also serve as a qualifier for the Asian Trail Masters. The race is inspired by the religious and historical legend of Manjushree, which is closely linked to the origin of the Kathmandu Valley. The main objectives of the event are to promote tourism through adventure and eco-friendly sports, showcase Nepal’s natural beauty and trail routes to the world, support and empower local runners, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and provide participants with a deeper understanding of Kathmandu’s geographical landscape. Organizers emphasized that the race is not just a competition but also a campaign for sustainability and awareness. At the press meet, organizing committee president Narayan Acharya, race director Ashish Mishra, and ambassador Rasila Tamang, along with board members Jeevan Lama, Sasha Shrestha, and Diwakar Shah, shared details about the event.

US Military Jets Hit in Iran War are the First Shot Down by Enemy Fire in Over 20 Years

Iran shooting down two American military jets marks an exceedingly rare assault for the U.S. that has not happened in more than 20 years and shows the Islamic Republic’s continued ability to hit back despite President Donald Trump asserting it has been “completely decimated.” The attacks came five weeks after U.S. and Israeli strikes first pounded Iran, with Trump saying earlier this week that Tehran’s “ability to launch missiles and drones is dramatically curtailed.” Iran shot down a U.S. F15-E Strike Eagle fighter jet Friday, with one service member getting rescued and the search still underway for a second, U.S. officials say. Iranian state media also said a U.S. A-10 attack aircraft crashed after being hit by Iranian defense forces. The last time a U.S. warplane was shot down by enemy fire in combat was an A-10 Thunderbolt II during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot. But, he said, that’s because the U.S. had largely been fighting insurgents who didn’t have the same anti-aircraft capabilities. The fact that there have not been more fighter jets lost in Iran, Cantwell said, is a testament to the capabilities of U.S. forces.

Trump gives Iran 48 hours to open Strait of Hormuz as search continues for missing US pilot

US President Donald Trump warned Iran to open the crucial Strait of Hormuz by his Monday deadline and Tehran called his threat “unbalanced and foolish.” The search for a missing US military pilot continued Saturday in a remote part of the Islamic Republic. Trump has called Tehran “beaten and completely decimated ” in the war, now in its sixth week, but the downing of two US. warplanes on Friday and Iran’s call to find the “enemy pilot” have again raised the stakes. “The doors of hell will be opened to you” if Iran’s infrastructure is attacked, Gen. Ali Abdollahi Aliabadi with the country’s joint military command said late Saturday in response to Trump’s renewed threat, state media reported. In turn, the general threatened all infrastructure used by the US military in the region. The war began with joint US-Israel strikes on Feb. 28 and has killed thousands, shaken global markets, cut off key shipping routes and spiked fuel prices. Both sides have threatened, and hit, civilian targets, bringing warnings of possible war crimes.

UN Agencies Say Attacks on Health Care in Sudan Have Killed More Than 2,000 Since 2023

At least 2,042 people have been killed and 785 injured in 214 attacks on health care facilities in Sudan since the conflict began nearly three years ago, two UN agencies said Saturday. In a joint statement, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said 184 deaths and 295 injuries occurred in the first quarter of this year alone, expressing concern over the growing scale and frequency of such attacks in conflict-affected areas. The agencies said attacks on health facilities, staff, and patients violate international humanitarian law and deepen an already severe humanitarian crisis. They called on all parties to respect and protect health care, ensure the safety of civilians and aid workers, and allow sustained access to essential services. Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since mid-April 2023 has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, according to international organizations.