Nepal Police calls attention for unwarranted arrests

Nepal's criminal justice system, built on the principle that arrests should follow assessment, is facing criticism for a growing trend of detaining individuals before securing sufficient evidence or formal charges. This reversal of the standard sequence is raising alarms among courts, legal experts, and civil society, who fear it erodes due process and opens the door to arbitrary detention.

The concern is not confined to isolated incidents but reflects a broader debate about the boundaries of investigative power. A recent flashpoint occurred on May 4 when police detained Krishna Hari Pushkar, secretary at the Vice President’s Office, from his Kathmandu residence. The arrest was reportedly linked to a message he sent to Prime Minister Balendra Shah, deemed a breach of administrative discipline.

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Was I brought here for something related to the Ministry of Labour, Commerce or Finance?

However, investigators at the Valley Crime Investigation Office found no clear legal grounds to proceed with formal charges against Pushkar. After about four hours of questioning, he was released without being informed of the specific offense for which he was detained. Vague responses from officers indicated he would "find out later," even as detention warrant preparations were allegedly underway. A directive from higher authorities ultimately ordered his release the same night, with Prime Minister Shah later posting a satirical remark on social media that amplified public discussion.

This case mirrors other recent operations by the Valley Crime Investigation Office. On May 17, police raided 95 educational consultancies in Kathmandu Valley, arresting 69 operators for allegedly facilitating illegal foreign employment. While investigators cited issues like expired registrations and unauthorized classes, only 30 individuals were ultimately charged after post-arrest analysis of digital records to establish links.

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find out later