Kathmandu, November 6
An audio recording of Inam Sapkota, who is being held in the custody of the Kathmandu District Police Range on money laundering charges, was leaked a few days ago.
The release of an audio recording of a person in police custody while an investigation is still underway has raised serious questions about the police investigation. It has also raised concerns about whether the chain of custody and confidentiality of the investigation have been properly maintained.
The leak has drawn further scrutiny because Sapkota is reportedly being investigated over sensitive matters involving alleged connections with high-ranking individuals.
Onlinekhabar asked Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dilip Ghimire, chief of the Kathmandu District Police Range, about the leaked recording. In response, Ghimire said the investigation was ongoing.
“The police are the only agency conducting the investigation. As far as we are concerned, the police are currently investigating the matter. We have not made any public statement about him so far,” he said.
Onlinekhabar also asked whether the leaked audio had prompted reports that police were preparing to arrest the president of the Nepali Congress, and whether investigators had found evidence warranting such action or whether the reports circulating publicly were false.
Ghimire again declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
“Since the investigation is still underway, we have not made any statement against anyone,” he said.
