The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Bharat Mani Dahal, who describes himself as a political analyst.
A bench of Justices Kumar Regmi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel on Thursday ordered that Dahal be released on a date to appear before the authorities.
“...As it does not appear that circumstances exist warranting his continued detention, if the investigation needs to be continued, Dahal shall be investigated while on a date to appear, effective today,” the order states.
The Supreme Court issued a mandamus in the name of the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police.
Police had arrested Dahal over content published on his YouTube channel. Following his arrest, his daughter, Denika, had filed a habeas corpus petition at the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court also stated that a writ of habeas corpus was not necessary because the district court had extended his detention period and an investigation was being conducted under the Electronic Transactions Act, 2006.
However, the Supreme Court issued the mandamus directing the police to release him, stating that Dahal’s statement had already been recorded and there appeared to be no grounds for keeping him in custody.
