Nepal Police took former chief justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana from his residence in the early hours of Sunday, September 27, and then blocked a National Human Rights Commission team from meeting him, triggering a major controversy over police powers.

Police said Rana was moved to the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office in Teku because of a possible threat from “Gen Z” groups, but disclosed no offence and, according to his family, produced no arrest warrant. An NHRC team led by commission member Manoj Duwadi reached Teku to monitor the detention but was denied entry and waited outside for about 35 minutes.

NHRC spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokharel protested the obstruction, saying it violated the commission’s constitutional inspection powers, and the NHRC has summoned SSP Santosh Khadka, chief of the Teku office, for questioning.

The Supreme Court, in a full-court meeting on September 29 chaired by Chief Justice Dr Manoj Sharma, raised concern over what it described as an unlawful arrest. Rana was handed over to his family around 2 pm on Sunday and has since sought additional protection.