KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Court has granted permission to keep Lumbini Province lawmaker Rekha Sharma in custody for three days.

A bench of Judge Nawaraj Dulal on Monday authorized police to detain Sharma for investigation. The Kathmandu District Police Range had filed a request seeking an extension of remand to keep her in custody.

Police arrested Sharma on Sunday night from her residence in Dhumbarahi. She has been accused of torturing a minor girl kept at her home.

Such cases have periodically drawn attention in Nepal, where rights groups have raised concerns over the treatment of domestic workers, particularly minors, in private households. Studies and reports indicate that many domestic workers face abuse and exploitation, highlighting gaps in enforcement and protection mechanisms.

Police said the investigation in Lumbini Province lawmaker Sharma’s case is being carried out under laws related to child abuse and criminal offences, and further extensions of remand may be sought depending on the progress of the case.

Under Nepal’s criminal procedure, courts can grant multiple remand extensions to allow police to continue their investigation.

The case will proceed based on evidence collected during custody, after which prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges.