KATHMANDU, Aug 13: Police raided the office of Jana Aastha Weekly on Thursday morning, a day after the arrest of its chairman and editor, Kishor Shrestha.
A police team reached the publication’s office on Thursday morning and took away computers and other materials, according to an employee working there.
The raid comes amid growing controversy over Shrestha’s arrest in connection with news published by Jana Aastha Weekly. Police arrested Shrestha from his residence on Wednesday evening and took him into custody.
Jana Aastha raid, Shrestha arrest deepens concerns over shrinki...
Shrestha’s arrest has triggered protests from journalists and media organizations, who have demanded his immediate release and argued that disputes over published content should be addressed through established legal and press related mechanisms rather than by arresting journalists.
The latest developments also come against the backdrop of earlier controversy involving Jana Aastha and allegations concerning payments and the publication of news about former home minister Sudan Gurung.
Shrestha had denied allegations that his publication accepted money to run news against Gurung, calling them part of a planned attempt to discredit him. The Chinese Embassy in Nepal had also called for an impartial investigation into the allegations while rejecting claims of Chinese involvement.
Journalist organizations had previously expressed concern over what they described as attempts to monitor, pressure and intimidate Shrestha over his reporting. They called for any allegations against him to be investigated through established legal and constitutional bodies.
Jana Aastha, established as an independent and critical publication, has a long history of investigative reporting on political and administrative affairs. Shrestha has also faced official pressure over his reporting at various points in his career, including previous instances involving police and security authorities.
The police raid on the publication’s office following Shrestha’s arrest has now intensified concerns within the journalism sector over press freedom, protection of journalistic sources and the use of criminal proceedings in disputes involving published news.
