US-Bangla Aircraft crash at TIA

The tragic death of 51 passengers when a US-Bangla Airlines crashed at the Tribhuvan International Airport on March 12 remains as one of the most tragic accidents in the year 2018. Among the 51 people killed, 33 were Nepalis. The ill-fated Bombardier aircraft crashed on landing and burst into flames at the TIA. Preliminary investigations have pointed out that the crash occurred as the pilot was overstressed. 

Saga of Nirmala Panta’s rape and murder

The rape and subsequent murder of Nirmala Panta, a 13-year-old school girl of Kanchaupur, in July and the failure of police to book the culprit(s) grabbed both national and international headlines in the year 2018. Accusing the police of trying to protect the culprits by framing an innocent person, the locals of Bhimdutta Municipality as well as other parts of the country took to the streets demanding justice. Although the government formed several high-level probe panels to investigate into the incident, they have failed to resolve the case so far. 

33-kg gold scam 

The mysterious disappearance of 33-kg gold from TIA and the arrest of its alleged mastermind Chudamani Upreti aka Gore in May drew headlines almost throughout the year. The 33-kg gold scam drew widespread attention mainly due to the involvement of top police officials in the crime. At least three people linked to the smuggling of the yellow material lost their lives including gold trader Sanam Shakya of Morang. Although the government formed a high level probe panel to investigate into the case, authorities are still clueless about the lost gold. 

Rising death toll on road accidents

Road accidents have been a major cause of deaths in Nepal. The death toll due to road accidents seems to have only increased further in the recent days. Data compiled by Nepal Police from mid-July to mid-November alone showed that over 4,000 road accidents had taken place in the country, leaving 864 people dead and 1,488 others critically injured. 

Murder of former ambassador Keshav Jha 

Although it did not draw ‘enough’ headlines in mainstream media, the murder of former ambassador Keshav Jha in the heart of the capital city was one of the major incidents in the year 2018. Ambassador Jha was found ‘murdered’ at his own residence in Babarmahal on August 21. This high-profile murder case has remained a mystery so far as police have failed to nab anyone behind the incident.

Snow storm kills 9 climbers 

Nine climbers including five South Koreans and four Nepalis were killed in a snowstorm at the base camp of Mt Gurja in Myagdi district on October 14. The 7,193-meters high mountain in Dhawalagiri region was opened for climbing for the first time. 

Indian denial on receiving EPG report

The dilly-dallying on the part of Indian side to receive the joint report prepared by the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) for over five months raised serious doubts in Kathmandu about New Delhi’s commitment to implementing the EPG’s recommendations. While EPG report drew considerable coverage, reports that Nepal became a part of Indo-Pacific strategy drew significant media attention in the country. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, however, has refuted the reports. 

Nepal’s decision not to participate in BIMSTEC joint military exercise

Nepal withdrew its decision to participate in the week-long joint military exercise of BIMSTEC member states on September 12 in Pune, India following criticism from the ruling and opposition parties. The government also faced criticism for its involved in Asia Pacific Summit which was organized by a religious organization in Kathmandu in the end of November. 

Disputes between Provincial and Federal government

Disputes between the center and provinces on different issues surfaced throughout the year. In a bitter dispute, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Province 2 Gyanendra Yadav padlocked the branch of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Janakpur on August 27 for violating the decision of the provincial government to observe public holiday on Rakshya Bandhan festival. 

Sacking of provincial ministers Keshav Sthapit and Dirgha Sodari 

Two provincial ministers were sacked in November following separate accusations of illicit relations with women and verbal altercation with their respective chief minister. Social Development Minister of Sudurpaschim Province Dirgha Sodari was dismissed after accusations of misbehaving women, appointing relatives in various posts and his involvement in criminal activities. Keshav Sthapit of Province 3 faced accusations of #Metoo for misbehaving with a woman journalist a few years ago and women staff at Kathmandu Metropolitan City when he was serving as the mayor. 

Actions against powerful contractors and former governor

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed case of irregularities against former minister and contractor Bikram Pandey in Sikta Irrigation Project after the main canal of the national pride project built by Pandey’s Kalika Construction was found to be of substandard quality. Similarly, the anti-graft body filed case against incumbent lawmaker Hari Narayan Rauniyar of Pappu Construction for delaying construction of several bridges which his company was undertaking.  

Self-proclaimed Buddha boy’s ‘misdeeds’

Ram Bahadur Bomjan, the self proclaimed Buddha Boy, courted yet another controversy after three persons went missing from his ashram in Sindhupalchowk. The family members of the three persons have filed a police case. One of them is said to be beaten to death at the ashram. According to Prem Dorje Bal, a senior monk from Devghat, who was an acquaintance of Bomjon till 2009, Bomjon had previously thrashed locals causing serious injuries and sexually assaulted many girls in his ashram. 

Lucky Sherpa controversy and building purchase scam in the US

Nepali ambassador to Australia drew criticism after the envoy’s former official driver publicly alleged that she was involved in human trafficking. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been investigation into the case after summoning her to Kathmandu. Similarly, Nepali ambassador to US Arjun Karki came into controversy following the purchase of a lavish residence for the ambassador against the country’s established procurement legislations. 

CJ designate Joshi’s rejection from parliamentary hearing

In an unprecedented move in the history of Nepal’s judiciary, a nominee for chief justice of the Supreme Court, Deepak Raj Joshee, was rejected for the post by parliament on August 4. Parliamentary Hearings Committee (PHC) rejected his nomination made by the Constitutional Council citing a lack of vision and his controversial decisions during his tenures as judge and justice. 

Govt’s move to curtail press freedom

Media fraternity began smelling rat as the government introduced various legislations to control public information. While the government began releasing cabinet decisions only after a week, Communication Minister Gokul Baskota has reportedly directed state-owned media not to carry any news that harms the reputation of the government. The minister’s verbal barbs against independent media have raised serious doubt over the commitment of the government toward press freedom.

Move to supersede  transitional justice mechanism through political mechanism

The demand for justice by the victims of the decade-long Maoist insurgency has been in the limelight this year. As the transitional justice mechanisms formed earlier failed to provide them justice, there have been debates whether to give continuity to these bodies. There are worries among the conflict victims that the perpetrators may go unpunished. 

Dr KC’s hunger strikes and Gangamaya’s fight for justice

Dr Govinda KC drew headlines as in the past due to his fast-unto-death protest in order to exert pressure on the government to introduce Medical Education Act. He ended the protest after 27 days in July after the government reached a nine-point agreement to address all of his demands. Also, Gangamaya Adhikari’s iconic struggle for justice for her son killed by the Maoist has drawn interest both at home and abroad. 

Decisions to remove Police Academy for presidential palace expansion

The government’s decisions to expand the area of the presidential palace and relocate vice president’s office to the current Social Welfare Council premises drew huge criticisms this year. Many have termed these moves as reflection of growing ambition of the ceremonial president and vice president. 

Death of prominent figures in the country

Nepal lost towering personalities in various fields including former prime ministers duo Kirtinidhi Bista and Tulsi Giri, former minister Chakra Prasad Bastola, human rights activist Padma Ratna Tuladhar, literary figure Indra Bahadur Rai and the pioneer in promoting professional media in the country Hem Raj Gyawali. 

 
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