The Allegations surrounding Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) and its founder Yubaraj Sangroula represents a critical moment for Nepal’s educational institutions. What began as one student’s allegation on social media has evolved into a broader examination of power dynamics, institutional accountability, and the lingering effects of traditional hierarchies in academic settings.
How It Began
On March 8, International Women’s Day a student from Kathmandu School of Law (KSL) broke her silence and ignited a firestorm. In an Instagram post that has now been shared over 6,000 times, Sandhya Gautam publicly accused KSL’s executive director and former attorney general, Yubaraj Sangroula, of repeated acts of sexual misconduct. Her words were raw, direct, and heartbreaking.
“Months since I submitted an application urging you to investigate… and yet, your silence remains.”
The accusations are not limited to Sangroula alone. In her frequent instagram post and stories, Gautam also questioned the silence of other senior faculty and administrators, including Yugicha Sangroula, Swokeshya Sangroula, and Geeta Pathak Sangroula. She criticized their longstanding inaction in the face of sexual harassment and discrimination complaints, saying they failed to support victims over the years.
Sandhya disclosed that she had filed a complaint about sexual harassment at KSL in December 2024. According to her social media post, the college administration had remained silent about her complaint for three months. In her allegations, she specifically named the college’s executive director and former Attorney General Yubaraj Sangroula as responsible for misconduct against women and gender minorities at the institution.
But this is not just about one experience. Her post has opened the floodgates. Hundreds of current and former students especially women and queer students have stepped forward to confirm what many had whispered for years: that KSL, a prestigious legal institution, has harbored a toxic culture of silence, intimidation, and systemic abuse.
Gautam has also shared responses from NGL, an anonymous chat platform, where numerous students recounted their own disturbing experiences at KSL. While these anonymous messages are yet to be independently verified, their sheer volume and recurring patterns raise serious questions about the institutional environment and its failure to protect its students.
According to Gautam, she has collected evidence and testimonies from several victims, and she is determined to be the voice for her juniors who are too afraid to speak. She has also boldly questioned the silence of senior students and alumni who, despite knowing the truth, chose not to speak up all these years.
she said she doesn’t believe in the justice system anymore. In her words, “The verdict is given even before the case begins.” And so, she says, she will fight not for a day, a week, but for 365 days, every day, until something changes.
When asked why she doesn’t pursue legal remedies
In the comments of the post Students from marginalized backgrounds, women, and queer individuals have shared stories of being bullied, mocked, and harassed. Some have dropped out. Others have lived in fear of retaliation. Students say if you speak up, you risk your grades, your future, your peace of mind.
The Institutional Response
KSL issued a statement claiming to maintain a “zero-tolerance policy” against discrimination, harassment and misconduct.
In response to the wave of allegations, KSL has issued a detailed press release defending the institution’s integrity and record. The statement emphasizes KSL’s two-decade-long legacy in legal education, human rights, and its supposed commitment to inclusivity especially concerning LGBTIQA++ rights. It claims that the ongoing accusations, sparked by a single individual, have caused undue harm to the institution’s image and morale. KSL insists that an internal complaints committee was activated upon receiving the complaint and that an independent investigation committee is also being formed. They argue that the matter is being handled per due process.
But what stands out most is the college’s tone one that leans more toward reputation management than sincere accountability. Instead of acknowledging the deeply rooted culture of fear and silence that students have spoken about, the press release chooses to double down on institutional pride.
At Sunday’s press meet, Yubaraj Sangroula personally responded to the allegations made against him, firmly denying any wrongdoing. He claimed that false accusations were being used as a weapon to inflict mental torture, not just on him but on his entire family. With visible frustration, Sangroula expressed how the controversy has deeply affected his personal life, stating that the ordeal has brought immense distress to his loved ones. He framed the allegations as part of a larger campaign to tarnish his reputation and that of the institution, positioning himself as a victim of character assassination.
He characterized the situation as an attempt to “eliminate a teacher” by certain individuals. He suggested that those with grievances should approach official government bodies for investigation rather than taking to social media.
When asked about specific allegations such as having students massage his head, Sangroula claimed that while he had experienced pain in the back of his head 5-7 years ago, only his wife had ever massaged him.
Sangroula expressed dissatisfaction with media outlets using social media posts as news sources, arguing that if someone is genuinely a victim, they should approach investigative bodies of the state rather than writing on social media. He claimed that he was being subjected to “mental torture” through false accusations.
The college announced the formation of an “independent” investigation committee, headed by former district judge Shrikrishna Bhattarai, with senior journalist Tirtha Koirala and gender discrimination expert Seema Dhami as members.
The investigation committee formed by KSL is expected to submit its report within 15 days. Meanwhile, this response was viewed with skepticism by many former students who questioned whether. Many have expressed doubt about whether justice can be served through an investigation committee they perceive as potentially biased, especially when the accused has not been formally suspended during the investigation process.
The Alumni Mobilization
This issue gained momentum when former students organized and released solidarity statements.
Alumnis had signed a public statement with their names disclosed, while some signed anonymously, all expressing solidarity with the students who had come forward. The statement emphasized that demeaning behavior, harassment, and sexual comments, as well as expressions and behaviors against sexual and gender minorities, cannot be acceptable in any institution.
While over 100 students have participated in a survey following the allegations many indicating experiences of verbal harassment at KSL it is also important to acknowledge the complexity of interpretation in such environments.
In the recent press meet, Yubaraj Sangroula appeared to frame some of the accusations as misunderstandings, likening his conduct to that of a parent guiding a child. He implied that certain statements made in the classroom or informal settings might have been taken out of context, or misread as harassment, when they were intended as mentorship or academic guidance.
However, this defense has raised further questions: can paternalistic teaching styles justify language or behavior that students particularly those from marginalized communities perceive as demeaning or discriminatory? While misinterpretation is possible in human interactions, the volume of testimonies and collective statements from alumni suggests a pattern that cannot be dismissed merely as misunderstanding.
The Broader Context
Yes, it’s true that in today’s age, social media has increasingly become a parallel courtroom where public verdicts are delivered without due process, and media trials often replace legal procedures. This trend must be checked especially when we have courts and investigative authorities in place.
But in the same breath, we must also ask:
why is the girl still active on her account 24/7, repeatedly demanding justice? What does this say about the state of our institutions, when a young woman feels safer turning to the internet than the justice system itself? We must shift our focus from protecting the prestige of one institution or individual to ensuring the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of someone who has dared to speak up.
Yes, legal remedies must follow their course, and investigations should happen but they must be credible, independent, and representative. A committee formed within the institution itself cannot deliver impartial justice.
Purbanchal University, which KSL is affiliated with, must take responsibility and lead an external investigation. A special committee must be formed including members from Purbanchal University, Nepal Bar Council, representatives from the Education Ministry, independent legal experts, and student voices.
This isn’t just about defending an institution from criticism it’s about protecting those who raise their voices in a system they no longer believe will protect them. Let us not be late in recognizing the urgency for justice, for reform, and most importantly, for safety.
Beyond Individual Cases
Many educational institutions in Nepal lack clear definitions of harassment, proper reporting mechanisms, and consequences for misconduct.
The real solution to this lies deeper than resolving individual cases. Nepal’s educational institutions require substantial structural changes, including anti-harassment policies, independent grievance mechanisms, and transparent accountability structures. The definition of professor-student relationships needs rewriting, with clear distinctions between respect and authority.
Before drawing any final conclusions, it is important to remember that the allegations against Yubaraj Sangroula remain charges not proven facts. The investigation committee formed must be allowed to function independently and transparently, and its report should be made public and submitted to appropriate legal authorities for further action. As Sangroula himself stated in the recent press meet, he is willing to cooperate fully, even with “handcuffs in hand.” Let us hold him to that promise and more importantly, let us hold the institution accountable.
But this moment is about more than just one man, or even one college. It is about a broader awakening in Nepal’s education system a call to dismantle outdated hierarchies and create spaces where dignity, safety, and justice are not negotiable.
The remnants of the guru-shishya tradition must not be used to justify inappropriate behavior or silence dissent. Respect must never come at the cost of rights.
The choice before us is clear: act decisively now to reform our educational institutions, or wait until preventable tragedies force our hand. The students of KSL especially women, queer individuals, and those from marginalized communities have shown remarkable courage in speaking truth to power. The question is whether our institutions will show equal courage in responding to that truth.
Justice delayed is justice denied but justice prevented through institutional inaction is a deeper betrayal. It erodes the very foundation of education, which should be built on trust, empowerment, and protection.
We must act before it’s too late.
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