Medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai has been released from custody after the Supreme Court ordered his immediate release during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by his son, Nirajan. A bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Shrikant Paudel issued the order. Prasai had been arrested on Mangsir 1 on charges of disturbing public order.
The Supreme Court stated that Prasai’s arrest and detention could not be justified under the law, describing it as an arbitrary violation of his constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. The court noted that his actions did not contradict the human rights, fundamental rights, and democratic values enshrined in Nepal’s Constitution.
The court further observed that, in the changed situation where an agreement had been reached to conduct the “Mega Campaign” scheduled for 2082/5/6 peacefully, there was no remaining basis to continue investigating or detaining him. Accordingly, all actions related to the arrest warrant, remand extensions, and investigation were annulled. The Supreme Court issued a habeas corpus order directing that Durga Prasad Prasai be freed immediately from unlawful detention.
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