Kathmandu: Two judges from the Janakpur High Court, Khushi Prasad Tharu and Arjun Maharjan, have been summoned to the Supreme Court following a controversial verdict acquitting Nepali Congress leader Mohammad Aftab Alam in a high-profile murder case.

The judges, who were part of the Birgunj bench of the Janakpur High Court, are reportedly being brought to the Supreme Court both for security reasons and due to the growing controversy surrounding their decision. The move follows public outrage and protests that escalated after the verdict, with some groups even confronting the judges directly.

The family of the victim recently lodged a formal complaint with the Judicial Council, questioning the integrity of the verdict and demanding an investigation into the acquittal.

Alam, who had been serving a life sentence handed down by the Rautahat District Court, was released from prison on Jestha 14 after the High Court overturned the verdict.

Following his release, tensions rose as many perceived the verdict as politically influenced. With the judges now under scrutiny, a formal investigation process has begun to assess the ruling and the circumstances under which it was made.

This development has further fueled debates on judicial accountability and raised questions about the independence of the judiciary in politically sensitive cases.