KATHMANDU, Aug 13: The arrest of journalist and Jana Aastha weekly editor Kishor Shrestha, followed by a police raid on the publication’s newsroom and seizure of computers and other publication materials, has drawn widespread criticism from political parties, journalist organizations and the broader media fraternity, intensifying concerns over press freedom and the treatment of journalists.
Police arrested Shrestha from his residence in Kusunti, Lalitpur, on Wednesday night after obtaining an arrest warrant from the Kathmandu District Police Range. His arrest was made in connection with a news report published by Jana Aastha weekly. Police also raided the weekly’s office in Kathmandu on Thursday morning and took away computers and other materials, according to an employee of the publication.
The arrest and raid triggered protests from journalists and media organizations, which argued that disputes over published content should be addressed through established legal and press-related mechanisms rather than through the arrest and detention of journalists.
Journalists led by the Federation of Nepali Journalists staged a sit-in outside the District Police Range in Bhadrakali on Thursday morning to protest Shrestha’s arrest and the raid on Jana Aastha’s office. Police intervened to disperse the protesters and allegedly manhandled several journalists.
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FNJ President Nirmala Sharma said police intervention in matters related to news gathering and publication was unacceptable, stressing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of the press and expression.
The main opposition party, Nepali Congress (NC), also criticized Shrestha’s arrest, describing the government’s conduct as “prejudiced and vindictive.” The party’s Central Working Committee said it had taken serious note of his midnight arrest, the search of Jana Aastha’s office and the fact that he was handcuffed while being produced before the court.
The NC said it supported investigation and legal action against anyone who violated the law but argued that police action against Shrestha had bypassed constitutional procedures and established processes.
“Investigation and legal action in accordance with prevailing law are natural if anyone violates the law. However, it is completely wrong and undesirable for the police administration to bypass constitutional procedures and established processes and directly arrest a journalist, search his office and handcuff him,” the party said in a decision made public by spokesperson Devraj Chalise.
The party said the incident could create psychological fear among the independent press and undermine citizens’ fundamental right to information. It reiterated its commitment to press freedom and freedom of expression, while emphasizing that media laws and professional codes must also be respected.
The developments have also revived controversy surrounding Jana Aastha’s reporting on former home minister Sudan Gurung. Shrestha had previously denied allegations that the publication accepted money to run news targeting Gurung, calling the allegations part of a planned attempt to discredit him. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal had called for an impartial investigation into the allegations while rejecting claims of Chinese involvement.
Journalist organizations had earlier expressed concern over what they described as attempts to monitor, pressure and intimidate Shrestha over his reporting. They had called for any allegations against him to be investigated through established legal and constitutional bodies.
Shrestha is the publisher and editor of Jana Aastha weekly and its online portal. He is also a former acting chairperson of Press Council Nepal.
The arrest and the subsequent police raid on the publication’s office and the intervention against protesting journalists has intensified concerns within the media fraternity over press freedom, protection of journalistic sources and the use of criminal proceedings in disputes involving published news.
Meanwhile, the Kathmandu District Court on Thursday allowed police to keep Shrestha in custody for three days for investigation into an allegation that he violated an individual’s privacy. A bench of Judge Umesh Prasad Luitel issued the order after police produced Shrestha before the court.
