Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has recently urged the Nepali government to expedite investigations into the deaths of two journalists, Suresh Rajak and Suresh Bhul, which occurred in March and November, respectively. RSF is concerned that the sluggish pace of these inquiries jeopardizes both journalist safety and the public’s right to information. In a statement, RSF warned that continued impunity in these cases threatens the principles of press freedom.
Suresh Rajak, aged 32, was killed when he became trapped in a building set ablaze by protesters in Kathmandu while reporting on pro-monarchy demonstrations in March. Despite Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli’s pledge in parliament to bring those responsible for the violence to justice, no substantial progress in the investigation has occurred. During these protests, several media outlets were attacked, with the Annapurna Post’s offices set on fire, and media personnel facing intense threats.
Meanwhile, Suresh Bhul, aged 30, was lynched in Dhangadhi in an incident initially justified by allegations of cattle theft. Subsequent investigations revealed Bhul had faced threats due to his investigative journalism and activism for the right to information. The inquiry into his tragic death has also been notably lackluster, with no significant headway since the incident. RSF’s South Asia Desk head Céline Mercier has explicitly called on the Nepalese government to act decisively to ensure justice for both Rajak and Bhul.
Nepali authorities have introduced a social network bill, seeking to curb anonymous accounts and “malicious” content. This legislative move has sparked concerns over potential censorship and its implications for free expression in a country that ranks 90th out of 180 countries in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index, as highlighted in recent discourse.
RSF emphasizes that failing to prosecute crimes against journalists significantly undermines press freedom and public trust in democratic institutions, echoing broader press freedom concerns worldwide, as reflected in Nepal’s current legislative and economic standings. Continued impunity could set a challenging precedent for journalistic endeavors and media integrity in the region.