Kathmandu: The Supreme Court has issued three significant orders in relation to the long-standing kidnapping and murder case involving former Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota.

A bench led by Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut has directed that a writ petition filed against Sapkota be upheld. The petition was submitted by Purnimaya Lama, the wife of Arjun Lama of Kavre, who was allegedly killed by the then CPN-Maoist during the armed conflict. The case had stalled after the Council of Ministers decided to keep the investigation pending. Challenging this, Purnimaya had approached the Supreme Court on November 26, 2016. The Court has now ordered that the investigation against Sapkota must proceed.

In contrast, the Court has dismissed another writ petition filed on April 26, 2016 by eight individuals, including human rights advocate Sushil Pyakurel. The petition had sought to prevent Sapkota from assuming ministerial office, but the Court found insufficient grounds to support their demand.

In a third ruling, the Supreme Court also dismissed a contempt of court petition filed by Sapkota against journalist Kanak Mani Dixit. The petition alleged that Dixit's actions were in contempt of court, but the justices determined that there was no valid basis for such proceedings.

These rulings mark important developments in a case that has drawn national and international attention, particularly due to Sapkota's prominent political role and the case's connection to Nepal's conflict-era human rights issues.