Prachanda warns government of consequences over arrests of prominent individuals

Kathmandu, September 28, 2026 — Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has warned that the government will face serious consequences if it continues arresting prominent individuals without justification.

Speaking to journalists at Singha Durbar on Monday, Prachanda criticized the police action involving former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana and said such incidents should not be repeated.

Rana was taken from his residence in Maharajgunj early Sunday after police cited a reported security threat. Police later released him to his family and said additional security would be provided at his residence. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the nature of the reported threat.

Prachanda said that if the government’s intention was to “beat the daughter to scare the daughter-in-law”—a Nepali expression referring to making an example of one person to intimidate others—it would have serious consequences.

“The facts will gradually come to light,” Prachanda said. “If the government is trying to beat the daughter to scare the daughter-in-law, that too will be disastrous.”

He said that if there was a genuine security threat to Rana, the government should have strengthened security at his residence instead of taking him away.

“The claim of a security threat is merely an excuse,” Prachanda said.

Police have said Rana was taken to a safe place after receiving information that he could be at risk, while later arrangements were made to provide security at his residence.

Commenting on Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Prachanda said it was natural for the prime minister to raise timely and relevant issues. Shah addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24.