Court Halts ANFA Senior Vice President Candidacy Pending Review of Drug Conviction

Kathmandu. The Patan High Court has issued a short-term interim order immediately halting the candidacy of Dawa Lama, a contender for the Executive Senior Vice President position of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

A single bench of Justice Tejendra Prasad Sharma Sapkot issued the order to suspend Lama's candidacy. Hearing the writ filed by Deepak Khatiwada, the court determined that further discussion is necessary regarding whether Lama's candidacy should remain valid, given that he was previously convicted in a drug case.

The court order stated, 'As it appears that respondent Dawa Lama was convicted in a brown heroin drug case by the decision of this court dated 2064-2-20, resulting in a sentence of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of 5 thousand rupees, it is deemed appropriate to reach a conclusion after discussion involving the respondents regarding whether his candidacy remains valid or not.'

The court has summoned both parties for a hearing regarding the interim order on Chaitra 10. A short-term interim order has been issued to suspend Lama's candidacy until that time. 

Furthermore, the court has ordered the respondents, including the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and ANFA, to submit a written response within 15 days.

This order introduces a new twist to the ANFA election process. The legal question of whether an individual convicted in a serious criminal case like drug trafficking can contest for a leadership position in a prestigious sector like sports is now under judicial review.