The Supreme Court has issued a directive to the government to furnish the reason for releasing gangster Yograj Dhakal aka Rigal.

President Ram Chandra Paudel on the recommendation of the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government granted amnesty to Rigal, the murderer of Chetan Manandhar.

Responding to a writ petition filed by Bharati Sherpa Manandhar, the widow of Chetan Manandhar, a single bench of Justice Dr Manoj Kumar Sharma asked the government the reason for granting amnesty to Rigal.

The Office of the President, the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Banke District Administration Office among others have been made defendants in the case.

Rigal had murdered Chetan Manandhar (29) by attacking with a khukuri on July 14, 2015.

Later, the Banke District Court in 2018 sentenced gangster Rigal to life imprisonment for killing Manandhar.

Bharati had moved the Supreme Court demanding that Rigal be sent to the prision again by annulling the decision of President Paudel.

She has also started a hunger strike at the Maitighar Mandala in Kathmandu from Wednesday demanding justice for her husband.

Speaking at the Parliament meeting on Tuesday, CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli had also raised the question on the issue.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party had submitted a three-point attention letter to President Paudel pertaining to the amnesty.