Eight individuals who went to meet medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai—arrested at midnight on Monday—have been taken into police custody. According to Kathmandu District Police spokesperson Pawan Bhattarai, they were detained for screening after arriving at the police office in a large group and staging demonstrations.
Some of those detained had posted on social media, spreading provocative messages and calling for breaking into the police office if necessary to release Prasai. They were taken into custody to check their criminal records and monitor activities linked to anarchic groups, Bhattarai said.
After Prasai’s arrest, his supporters gathered outside the District Police Office, chanting slogans demanding his release. Police stated that some groups among the supporters were circulating misleading and inflammatory information on social media.
Prasai, arrested on charges of disturbing public peace, has been placed in four-day custody for investigation by an order of the Kathmandu District Administration Office. On Tuesday, he was taken to the District Government Attorney’s Office and then to the Administration Office for the extension process. During the process, Prasai claimed he had not been informed of the charges against him.
Prasai, who has recently launched a campaign advocating the restoration of the monarchy and Nepal as a Hindu state, was arrested for making inflammatory remarks that allegedly disturbed public order. His supporters continued to protest in front of the District Administration Office following his arrest.
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