Inam Sapkota is a 31-year-old man from Jhapa, Nepal. He is at the centre of a major scandal over alleged influence-peddling, and he is currently in police custody.

• Background: Police detained him in early October 2026 on an initial charge of indecent behavior. He is from Jhapa, his family lives in Budhanilkantha, and he lived in an apartment in Panipokhari, Kathmandu. Until September 27 he had little public profile. Sapkota, linked to former Chief Justice Rana, in police custody
• Alleged role: Police suspect he acted as a “middleman” for former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana. Officials say he was in contact with Rana, suspended Armed Police AIG Banshiraj Dahal, and jailed businessmen Deepak Bhatta and Sulabh Agarwal. Police suspect Rana used him to influence the money-laundering cases against Bhatta and Agarwal. Sapkota has claimed that Rana used him. ratopati
• Charges: Police are investigating him under the Nepal Rastra Bank Act and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, after foreign currency was recovered from him. ratopati
• Judiciary and police links: Supreme Court Justice Hari Phuyal acknowledged communicating with him and said Sapkota introduced himself as a special representative of PM Balendra Shah. Investigators also say he offered police officers help with promotions and transfers. Police have formed a special committee to investigate his links with high-profile figures. onlinekhabar.com

These are allegations and investigations still in progress, not court findings. Several of the people named have denied or disputed contact with him.

Sources:

• Who is Inam Sapkota, the man linked to Cholendra Rana and top police officials? – Kathmandu Post
• Inam Sapkota Arrested in Connection with Former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana – Ratopati
• Justice Hari Phuyal says Inam Sapkota approached him claiming to represent PM Balen Shah – Online Khabar
• How Inam Sapkota tested the state – Kathmandu Post