Supreme Court Validates Gagan Thapa’s Leadership, Ending Dispute and Confusion in Nepali Congress

In a landmark ruling on Friday, April 17, 2026 (Baisakh 5, 2083 BS), the Supreme Court of Nepal upheld the Election Commission’s decision to recognise the faction led by Gagan Thapa as the official leadership of the Nepali Congress.

The Legal Battle

The dispute reached the apex court after the Sher Bahadur Deuwa faction challenged the legitimacy of a special general convention held last December (Poush), which saw Thapa elected as President. The Deuba group, represented legally by Purna Bahadur Khadka, sought to overturn the Election Commission’s endorsement of this new committee.

The Verdict

The division bench of Justices Saranga Subedi and Nripadhwoj Niroula dismissed the writ petition, ruling that the Election Commission’s recognition of the special convention was legally sound.

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• Impact: This verdict effectively ends the internal leadership dispute, granting full legal authority to the current working committee under Gagan Thapa.
• Defense: A high-profile legal team, including senior advocates such as Harihar Dahal and Dinmani Pokharel, argued on behalf of Thapa.
• Opposition: The Deuwa faction was represented by prominent lawyers including Ramesh Badal and Raman Shrestha.

Previously, the court had declined to issue an interim order against the new leadership in January (Magh), allowing the Thapa-led committee to function while the case was pending. With today’s dismissal of the writ, the “Special General Convention” has gained final judicial approval.