KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Court has refused to issue an arrest warrant against CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet.

A bench of Judge Shurba Raj Karki delivered the decision on Monday, rejecting a request filed by the Kathmandu District Police Range seeking permission to arrest Basnet.

The request followed a complaint filed on Sunday by a woman who claimed she was a victim of Basnet. However, the District Government Attorney’s Office in Kathmandu had earlier decided not to pursue the case based on a previous complaint.

That decision is currently under review at the High Court. With the matter still pending, the District Court declined to grant permission for Basnet’s arrest.

Reacting to the court’s decision, Basnet described it as a welcome step. Writing on social media, he said, “This move by the judiciary against revenge-driven politics is commendable.”