Kathmandu, April 2
President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Monday inaugurated Kasthamandap, an iconic temple at the centre of Kathmandu supposedly built in the seventh century, after its post-earthquake reconstruction that started in 2015.
The event, however, ran into a controversy as the local reconstruction committee is facing a court case, in which it has been accused of removing five revered idols to replace them with new ones, instead of protecting them.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued an interim order to put on hold the reconstruction process. But, the Monday event apparently violated the order.
Just on Sunday, a contempt of court case has been filed at the apex court against the reconstruction committee, claiming the committee’s plan to inaugurate the monument violated the previous order, further intensifying the dispute.
- Read more about the entire reconstruction process: Kasthamandap reconstruction: The tough task has taught lessons about Kathmandu’s ancient architecture
- Read more about the controversy: What the new debate in Kasthamandap reconstruction means to Kathmandu heritage
