KATHMANDU: The provincial assembly seat of Manang ‘B’, previously won by Rajiv Gurung, also known as Deepak Manange, in the 2022 elections, has been declared vacant following a Supreme Court ruling.

The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut and comprising Justices Sapana Malla Pradhan, Hari Phuyal, Manoj Kumar Sharma, and Kumar Chudal, issued the decision today.

The verdict paves the way for a by-election in the Manang ‘B’ constituency.

Deepak Manange had been declared ineligible to contest elections through a writ petition filed earlier.

The Court ruled that he is removed from his post with immediate effect. Currently in custody and suspended from his duties, Manange is now barred from participating in any future electoral contests.

On Kartik 20, 2081 B.S. (November 5, 2024), the Supreme Court sentenced Manange to five years in prison for his involvement in the 2061 (2004) Chakre Milan attack case.

Following the verdict, he was arrested on Mangsir 2, 2081 B.S. (November 17, 2024) in Sano Bharyang, Kathmandu, and subsequently transferred to Dillibazar prison.