KANCHANPUR: Journalist Aishwarya Kunwar has been arrested on allegations of assaulting and misbehaving with Ward Chairperson Rabindra Devkota of Bhimdatta Municipality–18 during a public event in Mahendranagar.
The incident occurred on Sunday at a hotel hosting a training program on drug abuse awareness. A dispute reportedly broke out between Kunwar and Devkota, and a video circulating on social media appears to show the journalist physically confronting the ward chairperson.
A police team from the local ward police office arrived at the venue and detained Kunwar from the scene.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Tek Bahadur Rawat, Devkota has filed a formal complaint accusing Kunwar of disorderly and abusive behavior.
Police said Kunwar remains in custody while further investigation into the case is underway.
Meanwhile, Kunwar has defended her actions through social media posts, claiming that she reacted after allegedly being mistreated by the ward chairperson at the event.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion within media circles. Several journalists have criticized Kunwar’s conduct, arguing that it raises serious concerns about professional ethics and standards in journalism.
Kunwar is also a member of the Kanchanpur branch of the Federation of Nepali Journalists.
Media scholar Bhanubhakta Acharya commented on social media that forcibly entering public events, engaging in confrontational behavior, and resorting to physical altercations run contrary to the principles of responsible journalism.
He further noted that the growing influence of social media monetization and view-driven content creation may be encouraging some individuals to prioritize controversy over professional reporting.
Acharya urged media organizations, the Federation of Nepali Journalists, and relevant institutions to review such incidents and take appropriate corrective measures.
Previously arrested in cyber-related case
The incident has also drawn attention to a previous case involving Kunwar.
According to reports, she was arrested around two years ago in connection with an electronic transaction-related case after making allegations against Police Inspector Binukumari Shahi through news reports and social media posts.
The latest controversy comes only days after Kunwar reportedly attended a training program on journalistic ethics and professional conduct.
The incident has reignited debate over media ethics, professional accountability, and the growing role of social media-based journalism in Nepal.
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