On April 16, 2023, the Supreme Court of Nepal ordered the release of former Energy Minister Deepak Khadka, who was in police custody due to allegations of money laundering. The ruling came after a habeas corpus petition was filed by Khadka's wife, Binita Thapa. The court, led by Acting Chief Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla and Justice Shreekant Paudel, found that the legal procedures followed during Khadka's arrest were unlawful and that the evidence presented by the government did not justify his continued detention. The court emphasized that the investigation into the alleged offenses could continue without Khadka being in custody. While ordering his release, the court imposed travel restrictions, requiring Khadka to seek prior permission before traveling abroad. Khadka was arrested on March 29 by the Central Investigation Bureau following a request from the Department of Money Laundering Investigation.