Amrit Jha still in Police Custody in Iran; Diplomatic Efforts Underway

The Foreign Ministry has stated that diplomatic efforts were underway to ensure an impartial hearing in a case of Nepali citizen Amrit Jha, who is in police custody of Iranian forces for investigation.

Issuing a press release on Monday, the Foreign Ministry made it clear that diplomatic efforts are ongoing for all necessary legal processes including the impartial hearing on the case of Jha by using all available means. Jha is in police custody on the charge of smuggling illegal goods in Iran.

The Foreign Ministry stated that the case related to Jha is under consideration at the local court of Iran, apologizing for the confusion created due to an unofficial report of his release at a time when he is in custody.

Iranian security personnel had arrested Jha as well as six other foreign nationals from Qeshm Island one month before the US-Israel and Iran tension. The tension between the US-Israel and Iran started on February 28, 2026.

On April 15, Nepal’s honorary consul in Iran Shahram Shantiya communicated with Nepal’s Deputy Chief of Mission in Qatar, Kumar Rai, sharing the news of Jha’s release.

The Ministry’s concerned Division submitted the report to Minister Khanal and Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and, based on the same information, the Ministry had released the issue on Jha’s release.

Likewise, the Embassy of Nepal in Doha, Qatar, was directed to submit written evidence about his release to fulfill the processes for his repatriation back home.

The Ministry has made it clear that the issue was informed to the Jha family during a meeting with Minister Khanal and top-ranking officials of the Ministry.

The Ministry has stated that the needed legal processes have been advanced to repatriate him back home, as Jha was yet to be released and the court has ordered to prepare a report in the case related to Jha. (RSS)