Nepal SC judge shot dead

Motorcycle-borne gunmen on Thursday shot dead a Nepalese Supreme Court judge, facing corruption charges, in an audacious attack in the heart of the capital, shattering an uneasy peace amid growing political uncertainty in the country.

Sixty-four-year-old Justice Rana Bahadur Bam, who received six bullets, died in the hospital while two others, including his security guard, are being treated for bullet wounds.

Bam was going to the court when his car was sprayed by bullets by unidentified assailants riding a motorbike who blocked his path on the banks of Bagmati river in Sankhamool area of the city.

Kathmandu police spokesman Rabi Raj Shrestha said the judge was shot as he emerged from the Baglamukhi temple after morning prayers.

The judge, his bodyguard and one more person in the car were rushed to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries. The bodyguard and other occupant, who was not named, were stated to be out of danger.

Doctors at the hospital said the judge had been shot six times and was declared dead on being admitted to the hospital.