2025 Spotlight: Top 10 Investigations That Defined the Year
2025 wasn’t just another year of journalism for NIMJN; it was a year where our investigations moved the needle, changed laws, and demanded accountability from the highest halls of power to the most remote corners of the Himalayas. NIMJN reporters went beyond the surface, digging through shadow economies and tracking missing links to ensure that silence is no longer an option for those in power.
Based on the buzz, analytics, and undeniable impact, here are the Top 10 Investigative Stories that defined our year.
1. THE IMPACT BREAKTHROUGH: Salt in the Wound
For 26 years, a law meant to protect the health of millions sat gathering dust. Our investigative series proved that excess iodine, found in some samples to be over 400% above WHO standards, was posing a silent threat to Nepali kitchens and fueling a surge in thyroid disorders.
We didn’t just get clicks; we got change. Following our report, the government officially moved to implement the 1998 Salt Act in July 2025.
Read: Food for Thought: Excess of Iodine in Salt Poses Health Risks to Nepalis
2. Ghyangphedi-Kolkata Connection: Sisters Lost from a Village Found in the Same Brothel
A harrowing journey into the heart of human trafficking. We didn’t just report on the statistics; we tracked the specific pipeline that tore sisters from their homes and found them in the same shadow world of Kolkata. A story that left the nation breathless and demanded immediate cross-border action.
For more on our investigations into human rights, catch up on our previous newsletter: 2025 Spotlight: A Year of Unflinching on Human Trafficking
3. Panchkund Glacial Lake in Nepal’s Annapurna Region Expanding Rapidly
Climate change is no longer a “future” warning. It is an expanding threat in our own backyard. Our investigation into the Panchkund Glacial Lake sent waves through the climate community, highlighting the urgent need for Glacial Lake Outburst Flood preparedness.
4. Nepalis Deported From America, Undocumented Immigrants in Fear
We took our reporting global, examining the tightening grip of international immigration policies. We explored the fear and uncertainty rippling through the Nepali diaspora as deportations from the U.S. became a harsh reality.
5. THE MONEY TRAIL: Tax Evasion & The Opaque Walls of Power
We pulled back the curtain on the financial hypocrisy of those who lead us. What started as an exposé on 62 political parties evading tax evolved into a deep dive into the “show donations” and “dark money” fueling election campaigns.
Read: Political Parties Involved in Tax Evasion
Read: NIMJN Investigation Reveals: Political Parties Systematically Flout Donation Disclosure Laws
Read our dedicated breakdown of this financial exposé: NIMJN Investigation Reveals: Political Parties Flout Donation Disclosure Laws.
6. Duped by Indian Procurers: How Nepali Workers Are Subjected to Forced Labor Across the Border
The dream of a better life turned into a nightmare of modern-day slavery. We exposed how deceptive middlemen are funneling Nepali labor into forced work across the border, bypassing every safety net designed to protect them.
7. Climate Change Toll on Nepal’s Kanchenjunga: Floods and Landslides Grip the World’s Third Tallest Mountain
From the peaks to the valleys, we documented the environmental toll on Kanchenjunga. This report captured the raw trauma of mountain communities caught in a cycle of floods and landslides they didn’t create but are forced to survive.
See how we are tracking the environmental crisis in our special edition: 2025 Spotlight: The Fight for Climate Justice and Disaster Accountability
8. Spent 4 Lakhs To Go To Malaysia, Returned Home After Failing the Medical Test
One man’s debt is a national tragedy. We told the story of a worker who lost his life savings, and his future, to a system that failed him at the first hurdle, exposing the predatory nature of the migration industry.
9. Women in Karnali Endure Domestic Violence
In the most remote corners of Nepal, we found a silent epidemic. This investigation went beyond the surface to expose why justice remains out of reach for women in Karnali, and why the “system” continues to look the other way.
10. Four Years After Melamchi Flood Disaster: Trauma of the Affected Remains Unhealed
Accountability has no expiration date. We returned to Melamchi to show that while the headlines have faded, the trauma hasn’t. This investigation serves as a stark reminder that the state’s promises of “recovery” are still unfulfilled.
These ten stories didn’t just live on a website; they moved through social media, sparked debates in parliament, and reached the people who needed them most. At NIMJN, we believe the truth only works if it is heard.
As we head into 2026, we are more committed than ever to ensure that no truth stays hidden. We are entering the new year with a clear vision: to deliver even more groundbreaking, data-driven investigations that challenge the status quo and amplify the voices that are often ignored.
We want to wish our entire network, our readers, our fellows, and our partners, a very Happy New Year. Your support is the engine that drives our independence. We hope you’ll keep supporting us, sharing our work, and standing with us as we pursue the stories that matter most.
Together, we make the truth unstoppable.
Stay aware. Stay engaged. Share the impact.
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With Gratitude,
The NIMJN Team