KATHMANDU: The Kathmandu District Court has granted police an additional four days to keep journalist Kishor Shrestha in custody for further investigation.
Police produced Shrestha before the court on Monday and requested an extension of his detention, citing the need for additional time to complete the investigation. The court had earlier authorized his detention for three days. Following the expiry of that period, the police sought further authorization, which the court granted for another four days.
Meanwhile, a habeas corpus petition challenging Shrestha’s arrest has been scheduled for hearing at the Supreme Court on Monday. The petition will be heard by a joint bench comprising Justices Nahakul Subedi and Balkrishna Dhakal.
Shrestha was arrested last Wednesday by a joint team from the Valley Crime Investigation Office and the Kathmandu District Police Range. Police said he was taken into custody for investigation into an alleged offense under the Privacy Act, 2018.
The court’s decision to extend his detention comes as the Supreme Court is set to consider the habeas corpus petition challenging the legality of his arrest. The case has therefore raised both investigative and legal questions regarding the circumstances surrounding Shrestha’s detention.
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