Kathmandu District Court Orders Removal of Beemapost’s Tax Evasion Reports
Kathmandu — The Kathmandu District Court has issued an interim order directing the removal of news reports published by Beemapost concerning alleged tax evasion.
According to the order issued by a single bench of Judge Koshaleshwor Gyawali, two reports published on April 7 and 9, 2026, must be removed from the media outlet’s website.
The reports carried the headlines, “Former CNI President Bishnu Agrawal Accused of Evading Millions in Customs Duties on Foton Vehicle Imports” and “Bishnu Agrawal Involved in VAT and Customs Evasion for 17 Years; When Will Action Be Taken?”
The interim order was reportedly issued on April 27, 2026, following an ex parte hearing conducted without the participation of Beemapost or its editorial representatives. The court order was officially served to Beemapost’s office on May 12.
Beemapost has argued that the order undermines constitutionally guaranteed press freedom and freedom of expression, noting that the publication was not given an opportunity to participate in the hearing before the interim order was issued. The outlet also stated that issuing such an order through a one-sided hearing contradicts the principle of natural justice.
Shashi Marasini, advocate and assistant professor at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication at Tribhuvan University, said constitutional protections for press freedom must be respected and emphasized the importance of adhering to principles of natural justice.
Similarly, Umesh Bagchand, senior vice president of the Federation of Nepali Journalists and president of the National Federation for Right to Information, said the order to remove the reports could weaken press and expression freedoms.
The court’s decision to order the removal of reports related to alleged VAT and customs evasion has also sparked debate within legal and media circles, with critics arguing that such action could potentially affect evidence preservation in matters related to financial misconduct.
Anti-corruption campaigner and journalist Narayan Prasad Sharma described any infringement on press freedom by state institutions as unfortunate. He added that the issue of removing news reports has become a matter of both national and international concern, requiring all parties to act responsibly and within legal and ethical boundaries.
Advocate Dhananjaya Khanal noted that interim or lower court orders are not final and can be challenged before higher judicial authorities through writ petitions.
Beemapost editor Nabaraj Neupane said the publication would pursue legal action against what he described as an unconstitutional order that fails to respect press freedom and freedom of expression.
Kathmandu District Courts interim order:
