Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Nepalese authorities on Tuesday to promptly investigate the deaths of two journalists in November 2024 and March 2025. The organization expressed concern over the slow progress of inquiries and warned that ongoing impunity in these cases threatens journalists’ safety and right to information.

One of the journalists, 32-year-old Suresh Rajak, died in March after protesters set fire to a building where he was reporting. Firefighters were prevented from rescuing Rajak by protestors pelting stones at them. Rajak was covering pro-monarchy protests, which were initially intended to be peaceful but turned violent after protesters breached police barricades.

Thousands of supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah gathered in Kathmandu to demand the restoration of the monarchy and a declaration of Nepal as a Hindu state. The clashes led to two deaths and numerous injuries among both protesters and police officers.

Although Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli committed in parliament to bringing those responsible for Rajak’s death to justice, no arrests have been made, and the investigation has seen little progress.

In November, 3o-year-old Suresh Bhul was lynched by a mob in Dhangadhi. The initial accounts cited cattle theft as the motive, but later reports revealed that Bhul had been threatened by local political figures due to his investigative work and activism for the right to information. The investigation into his death is also reportedly proceeding slowly.

The head of RSF’s South Asia Desk Célia Mercier urged the government to “act decisively to ensure justice for these journalists.” Mercier added: “The investigation into Suresh Rajak’s death must progress, and suspects should be arrested and questioned. The same applies to the murder of Suresh Bhul.”

The March protests saw widespread attacks on the media. Protesters set fire to the Annapurna Post’s offices, hurled stones at Kantipur Television, and vandalized a Himalaya Television vehicle. In response, the government imposed a curfew in several areas of Kathmandu and deployed additional security forces. Over 100 individuals were arrested in connection with the violence.

The government has also introduced a social network bill, seeking to ban anonymous accounts and prohibit undefined “malicious” content, which has consequently raised concerns over censorship.

Nepal ranks 90th out of 180 countries in the 2025 RSF World Press Freedom Index, with particularly low scores in legislative and economic indicators. RSF has emphasized that failure to prosecute crimes against journalists undermines press freedom and public trust in democratic institutions.