From A Private Relationship To A Criminal Court Case: Rs. 27 Lakh Dispute Lands Woman In Judicial Custody

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, September 10, 2026

Woman Sent To Judicial Custody In Alleged Extortion Case

A 32-year-old woman from Ramechhap, identified as Kusum Gubhaju, has been sent to judicial custody pending trial by the Kathmandu District Court after a senior government employee accused her of repeatedly demanding money by allegedly threatening to expose details and photographs from their private relationship. Judge Jagat Bahadur Poudel issued the custody order on Wednesday in Kathmandu in a case involving allegations that the employee paid a total of Rs 27 Lakh after being threatened with the disclosure of their private interactions to his family and the public.

Relationship Reportedly Began Through Social Media

According to the complaint filed by the government employee, he and Gubhaju initially became acquainted through social media before developing a close personal relationship.

The complainant told police that they later met regularly, travelled together and stayed at hotels. Their communication also allegedly included intimate conversations on social media.

Employee Alleges Rs 50 Lakh Was Demanded

According to the employee's complaint, the relationship later deteriorated and Gubhaju allegedly threatened to release photographs and details of their meetings and send them to his family unless he paid money.

The employee alleged that Rs 50 Lakh was demanded and that he eventually paid a total of Rs 27 Lakh, but claimed the demands continued afterwards.

These remain allegations made by the complainant and have not been established by a final court verdict.

Employee Details Alleged Rs 27 Lakh Payments

The employee claimed that the alleged payments were made through several methods.

According to his complaint, Rs 10 Lakh was transferred through ConnectIPS on Jestha 15, 2083, while another Rs 10 Lakh was allegedly paid through two Rastriya Banijya Bank cheques of Rs 7.5 Lakh and Rs 2.5 Lakh on Jestha 19.

He further claimed that another Rs 7 Lakh was paid in cash, bringing the alleged total to Rs 27 Lakh.

Woman Denies The Allegations

Gubhaju has denied the accusations against her and presented a different account of the relationship.

According to her statement reported in the case, she claimed that the government employee had initially sent her a Facebook friend request, proposed a romantic relationship and later arranged accommodation for her while presenting her as his wife.

She reportedly claimed that Rs 20 Lakh was given voluntarily, while another Rs 7 Lakh was provided for accommodation, food and living expenses. She also claimed that the pair had lived together in a rented room in Basundhara for around a year.

Earlier Dispute Had Reached Police

The dispute between the two had reportedly reached police even before the current criminal case.

According to reports, they had a dispute on Jestha 7 that reached the Kalimati Police Circle. An understanding was reportedly reached at the time under which both sides agreed not to interfere in each other's affairs.

The government employee later filed a complaint alleging criminal extortion and offences under electronic transaction law after claiming that demands for money and threats continued.

Police Arrested Gubhaju In Shrawan

Following the employee's complaint, police arrested Gubhaju on Shrawan 27 and investigated the allegations.

The case has been brought under Section 253 of the National Penal Code, 2017 (2074), concerning criminal extortion, and Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2008 (2063), concerning prohibited publication or display through electronic means.

What Nepal's Law Says

Under Section 253 of the National Penal Code, obtaining a benefit by dishonestly putting someone in fear of harm can constitute criminal extortion. The exact punishment depends on the type and circumstances of the offence.

Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act provides for a fine of up to Rs 100,000, imprisonment for up to five years, or both for conduct falling within the provision concerning unlawful publication or display through electronic means.

Case Has Not Reached A Final Verdict

The Kathmandu District Court's decision to send Gubhaju to judicial custody means she will remain in custody while the case proceeds; it does not amount to a conviction.

The government employee's allegations of threats and Rs 27 Lakh in payments, as well as Gubhaju's account that the money was given voluntarily or for living expenses, will ultimately be matters for the judicial process to assess.