Messages found on Inam Sapkota’s phone, who was arrested for allegedly acting as a middleman in legal and financial matters, have raised concerns about potential court influence and links to senior officials.
The messages mention several prominent figures, including Chief Justice Dr. Manoj Kumar Sharma, Supreme Court Justice Hari Phuyal, and PM Balen Shah. They include requests for fund transfers and discussions about ongoing court cases.
These details have sparked worries about the relationships between middlemen and public officials, although the messages do not confirm any wrong doing.
Messages Mention Senior Officials
The investigation revealed messages on Sapkota’s phone that reference various senior officials. One set of messages includes instructions to transfer money to accounts in Nepal and the U.S. The messages name Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma, lawmaker Bishwaraj Pokharel, and former police AIG Banshi Dahal.
The messages present two options for transferring $7,500: either to a Bank of America account in the U.S. under Nirajan Pandey or to a Sanima Bank account in Nepal under Kabita Pandey. These accounts belong to Sapkota’s relatives.
Another set of messages discusses amounts for November, December, and January, including tax calculations, though the currency remains unclear.
The exact purpose of these transfers and the officials’ connections need further clarification.
Bishwaraj Pokharel Denies Connection to Sapkota
Bishwaraj Pokharel, a former AIG of Nepal Police and current lawmaker, stated he has no ties to Sapkota. “I don’t know him at all,” he said.
Neither Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma nor former AIG Banshi Dahal responded to requests for comments. The presence of their names in the messages does not prove they requested or accepted money.
Understanding the messages’ purpose and verifying the legitimacy of any transactions are essential.
Messages Mention Justice Hari Phuyal
Another set of messages indicates that Sapkota contacted Supreme Court Justice Hari Phuyal regarding Rohit Gupta’s case. Sapkota allegedly requested that Gupta remain in custody, mentioning that “PM has taken this seriously.”
Phuyal reportedly replied that there were reasons to grant Gupta bail of Rs 20 million. The messages also refer to Gupta’s bail being set at Rs 10 million and businessman Shekhar Golchha.
Phuyal allegedly suggested a meeting with Sapkota at Hotel Himalaya in Kupondole the following evening. This raises questions about why a judge would communicate with someone accused of being a middleman and the purpose of their potential meeting.
Phuyal did not respond to requests for comment, and it remains unclear if they met or if any improper influence occurred.
Reference to Prime Minister
Sapkota allegedly mentioned Prime Minister Balen Shah in his conversation with Justice Phuyal about Gupta’s case. The prime minister’s secretariat did not formally respond, but someone close to the team denied that Shah would use an intermediary to influence a judge.
This distinction is crucial as it questions the accuracy of Sapkota’s claims in his messages.
Investigators will seek to determine if Sapkota is genuinely representing his connections or attempting to build credibility by referencing high profile individuals.
Who Is Inam Sapkota?
Inam Sapkota, 30, from Jhapa, came under investigation after authorities examined former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana’s phone and found numerous communications with him.
Investigations revealed Sapkota had contact with various high profile individuals, including senior police officers, judges, politicians, and lawyers. Authorities suspect he may have claimed to influence court decisions and police promotions.
Sapkota was arrested at Tribhuvan International Airport as part of an investigation into financial misconduct and money laundering. His phone underwent digital forensics, leading to a broader inquiry into his connections.
This raises questions about whether Sapkota was attempting to leverage senior officials’ names to suggest he could influence legal and administrative decisions.
Concerns About Connections With Senior Judges
During the investigation, it was found that Sapkota had communicated with several other judges. Some judges expressed concern and sought to learn more about Sapkota’s background. Discussions took place with senior security officials regarding his connections to high profile individuals.
While not all communications have been confirmed, understanding their nature is vital. It is essential to ascertain if any messages or transactions indicate attempts to interfere with court proceedings.
Concerns About Lack of Transparency from Nepal Bar Association
Professor Vijay Mishra, President of the Nepal Bar Association, voiced concerns about the piecemeal release of information. “We do not want this to become a tool for various interest groups. We seek an open investigation and clarity on what truly happened,” he stated.
The investigation must maintain credibility, validate the messages, contextualize them, explore financial connections, and distinguish facts from allegations.
What’s Next?
While the messages raise serious concerns about the use of middlemen to influence judicial proceedings and mention senior officials in financial discussions, several key questions remain unanswered.
Did the money transfers occur? Why were officials’ names included? Was there any improper interference due to these messages? Did Sapkota and Justice Phuyal meet?
These questions can only be resolved through a thorough examination of digital evidence, financial records, and statements from those involved.
Until further investigations are completed, the allegations should not be viewed as proof of wrong doing by any mentioned individuals. However, the case underscores the importance of judicial independence, transparency, and ensuring court decisions are based on legal grounds.