Kathmandu, Oct. 17: The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) has condemned the arrest of Kishor Shrestha, editor-in-chief of the weekly Janastha, saying the incident undermines democratic values and internationally recognised principles of press freedom.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the federation said police had taken Shrestha to the Cyber Bureau following a complaint filed by Himesh Pant, a leader of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and an actor.
Janastha had published a report alleging that Pant had encroached on 10 ropanis of a neighbour’s land in Dhading. Following a complaint over the report, a police team led by Senior Superintendent of Police Santosh Khadka reached Shrestha’s residence in Nakhu, Lalitpur, and arrested him, according to the federation.
“The Federation of Nepali Journalists has taken serious note of the police arrest of Kishor Shrestha, editor-in-chief of Janastha weekly, based on a complaint filed at the Cyber Bureau by Himesh Pant, a leader of the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party and an actor,” the statement said.
The federation said that anyone dissatisfied with a news report should seek redress through established legal and regulatory mechanisms rather than having a journalist arrested through the Cyber Bureau. It said the police action violated press freedom and the Constitution.
The FNJ also said the authorities had bypassed the jurisdiction of the Press Council Nepal and condemned the use of state power in the case.
“The federation draws the government’s attention to the need to correct such anti-press practices and immediately release journalist Shrestha unconditionally. It also urges the concerned parties to seek a resolution through the relevant authorities if they have objections to the news report,” the statement said.
The federation also urged the Press Council Nepal to play an effective role in exercising its jurisdiction over press-related complaints.
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