The Supreme Court has ordered that Deepak Bhatta, who is currently in the custody of the Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DMLI), be presented before the court within 24 hours.
A single bench of Justice Abdul Aziz Musalman issued the order on Monday following a hearing on a habeas corpus petition.
"Produce the detainee within 24 hours of receiving this order, excluding travel time, and submit a written response through the Office of the Attorney General," the court order states.
The Supreme Court has further directed the authorities to provide the grounds and reasons for his detention and to explain why he should not be released.
The court has also ordered that the defendants be notified of the petition.
Furthermore, it has ordered that the investigation files be presented on the day of the hearing through the Office of the Attorney General and returned after review.
Bhatta’s wife, Ayushma Nepali, had filed the habeas corpus petition on May 1, naming the Kathmandu District Court, the Department of Money Laundering Investigation, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), and the Metropolitan Police Office, Sanepa, as defendants.
