The Supreme Court has refused to release All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) treasurer Rabindra Joshi and accountant Sanjiv Pandey, who are currently in police custody amid an ongoing investigation into match-fixing, irregularities, and fraud.
A joint bench of justices Binod Sharma and Sunil Kumar Pokharel dismissed separate habeas corpus petitions from Joshi and Pandey, confirming that their detention for investigation is lawful.
Joshi’s wife, Shobha Joshi, and Pandey’s wife, Anita Pandey, argued that their husbands were being unlawfully held.
The court rejected both petitions, allowing the ANFA officials to stay in custody as the investigation progresses.
The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police arrested Joshi and Pandey on September 18 after a raid on the ANFA headquarters.
The CIB is looking into claims of match-fixing, financial irregularities, and fraud, which are still under investigation.
Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel stated on Tuesday that new information has come to light during the ANFA investigation.
The Supreme Court‘s ruling means Joshi and Pandey will remain in custody while investigators continue to look into the allegations against them.