KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government in a habeas corpus petition concerning political analyst Bharatmani Dahal.
A single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi on Tuesday issued a show-cause order to the defendants, directing them to submit a written response along with the investigation file and the detainee within 24 hours.
Denika Dahal had filed the habeas corpus petition against the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, among others, on behalf of analyst Bharatmani Dahal.
Following the preliminary hearing, the court asked the defendants to explain what had happened and why the order sought by the petitioner should not be issued.
The order states that if the requested order should not be issued, the defendants must provide the reasons and grounds and submit a written response through the Office of the Attorney General, along with the investigation file and the detainee, within 24 hours of receiving the order, excluding the time required for travel.
The Supreme Court also ordered that the case be presented in accordance with the rules after the written response is received or the deadline expires.
Senior Advocate Dhruvalal Shrestha and advocates Yubaraj Koirala, Shanti Dhungana, Subash Singh Dhami and Nikesh Dhital argued on behalf of the petitioner.
Police arrested political analyst Dahal from Belbari, Morang, on the morning of September 20. He had recently been speaking publicly against the government led by Balendra Shah.
Dahal was arrested based on a complaint filed with the Cyber Bureau. The bureau had obtained an arrest warrant against him from the Kathmandu District Court.
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