Kathmandu School of Law vs. Interest Groups: Coordinated Attack Resurfaces Amid New B.A. LL.B. Admissions Notice

-Nepal Muhar

An unregistered and unofficial vigilante group has been weaponizing ‘cancel culture’ strategies against Kathmandu School of Law, an institution considered the legal-backbone of Nepal. Calling itself "KSL Accountability"— a vigilante group created solely for the ‘purpose of character assasination of the founders and faculties involved in creating its legacy’—has been misusing social media to manufacture anonymous stories against them and recently used a very popular establishment media, misused the name and prestige of the National Women Commission (NWC) as though it were the Commission itself, and published a post against KSL misleading the public that there was something very shady going on within the institution, all amidst the recently published admission notice.

According to KSL, after publishing its admission notice, an English daily published a misleading article on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 (Ashar 11, 2082 BS), citing NWC Deputy Secretary Roshni Devi Karki and referencing an outdated and debunked issue. KSL believes this was a strategic move to negatively influence the new admission process.

On March 18, 2025 (Chaitra 5, 2081 BS), a student claiming herself to be a “LGBTQIA++, Queer community” named Sandhya Gautam or “Sandy”—who had just completed her fifth-year B.A. LL.B. exams at KSL—made defamatory allegations on Instagram against both the institution and its Executive Director, Dr. Yubaraj Sangroula. Following her post, various media outlets used it as a basis to publish sensational stories, treating it as a kind of "Google trial." Since then, there has been formation of vigilante groups, targeted and biased media and social-media campaign, rise of neo-nazi slogans and tendencies that defy the principles of justice and fair-trial and one-sidedly tainted the image of some very respectful people and institution that had become a pillar of legal education in Nepal with their positive contributions.

The NWC later issued a press release—but not on official letterhead, and without a date—making its authenticity unclear. Based on the news article's date, the statement appears to have been issued around the same time, in March.

NWC's Statement Lacked Officiality

Deputy Secretary Roshni Karki of the NWC said that after the media coverage, the Commission invited Sandhya Gautam and several individuals listed under the "KSL Accountability" page—around 100 names were submitted. However, Gautam admitted, “I’m not a victim myself; I spoke on behalf of others.” She could not name those alleged victims. Without concrete statements or verifiable complaints, the investigation couldn't proceed. People were invited to file formal complaints with evidence, but none were submitted. They cite ‘fear of their names being exposed’ as an excuse to evade physical complaints but ‘justice cannot be delivered in darkness’ and more that fear it seems like the ‘culprits' fear and guilt of being exposed to conspirating or lying against their own institution and own professors' as more determining factor stopping them.

The NWC also collected a list of names showing solidarity with Gautam under the KSL Accountability banner. Nearly 100 names were listed, but no signatures were included. Lacking authentication, the Commission couldn’t proceed with an investigation, and thus, the matter was shelved.

Prof. Karki stated that after the NWC's release, KSL voluntarily submitted a detailed two-to-three-page clarification, even though the Commission had not requested it.

Gautam’s statement—admitting she wasn’t a victim and unable to name others—along with unauthenticated names on the so-called KSL Accountability list, meant that no further investigation could be justified. Karki explained that a journalist recently misrepresented her remarks, making it seem as though the Commission had called for formal action, which was not the case.

"This is a three-month-old issue. The journalist added elements that gave the impression the Commission was actively pursuing the matter, which simply isn’t true," Karki clarified.

file:///C:/Users/user/Downloads/Letter-to-National-Women-Commission-New.pdf

Misuse of the National Women Commission’s Authority

Despite being a constitutional and responsible body, the NWC has allowed its logo and reputation to be misused. Entities like the unofficial and unregistered “KSL Accountability”—created with the sole purpose of character assassination—are treating themselves as the Commission, misusing its hotline, and urging people to submit online complaints using fake Facebook accounts linked to the Commission’s helpline.

A KSL assistant professor noted that this proves someone with malicious intent is acting under the guise of the Commission. When Nepal Muhar contacted NWC Chair Kamala Parajuli for clarification, she did not respond.

KSL Associate Professor Ramchandra Phuyal raised serious concerns: “Was the NWC’s logo and helpline number granted to an anonymous group? If not, why is their logo being used in such ways?”

Additionally, under the name of KSL alumni, a Google Form was circulated encouraging anonymous complaints against the college and its faculty. According to KSL, Sandhya Gautam, Astha Dahal, and Niranjan Adhikari have been leading this smear campaign. Following extreme online defamation, KSL has filed slander lawsuits against all three in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur District Courts.

KSL states that Adhikari, a former student, moved to the U.S. through the college’s recommendation and is now spearheading efforts from abroad to defame the institution, inciting students and parents. Despite ongoing legal proceedings, the KSL Accountability page has made 57 defamatory posts targeting KSL, its director, and faculty—amounting to contempt of court.

Nepal’s constitution and laws mandate that any accused individual be given a chance to respond. This is a fundamental principle in criminal and civil law, as well as in natural justice. After the series of biased allegations made by Gautam, KSL formed an internal inquiry committee, which concluded that the accusations were beyond its jurisdiction.

"Anyone with common sense can see that if Dr. Sangroula had committed any wrongdoing, he wouldn't have initiated a probe himself," said another associate professor at KSL.

KSL Urges Caution and Resistance

KSL accuses a small faction of launching a coordinated misinformation campaign, affecting over 1,100 current students, their parents, more than 65 faculty members, and the institution's partnerships with over 25 educational organizations.

“But like the old saying, 'We will not fear, nor will we retreat,' we’re ready to resist these conspiracies head-on,” said one KSL administrator. “We informed the NWC about the actual facts more than three months ago. They need to recognize the reality and the orchestrated nature of this attack.”

Deputy Secretary Karki Concludes: “The Investigation Issue is Old Now”

Deputy Secretary Roshni Devi Karki explained that after initial news broke on social media in March, the NWC posted a public notice on its website asking for more information. KSL responded voluntarily, outlining its actions and updates, including the formation of a committee.

She said that while about 100 names were submitted in solidarity with Gautam, there were no signatures, no confirmed victims, and no formal complaints. Repeated outreach via hotline and email yielded no authenticated complaints. Ultimately, the Commission had to close the matter.

Karki emphasized that the Women Commission doesn’t have investigative rights like the Human Rights Commission. They can only act on verified complaints filed through their helpline or system—not based on assumptions or social media outcry.

She concluded: “The recent media story misrepresented our position. We neither called for action nor issued any formal notice. It seems like an unhealthy game played to influence KSL’s new admissions process.”

This article is translated with the help of AI. Find the original link of the article at: https://nepalmuhar.com/kathmandu-school-of-law-against-interest-groups/?amp=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawLPUDZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFuak5Jc3hpelFTTVd5b01JAR7EnsnOM8LzHEBfgbcsID7AG-HqhmDzaw7B-WsObDvH99v9Z_nP5f5fstXxmA_aem_8F4hCATGORiGsKxJistdKQ