The arrest of the Kantipur Media Group chairperson was criticized as an act of harassment against critical journalists.
This statement was originally published on freedomforum.org.np on 21 May 2024.
Nepal police has issued an arrest warrant against a noted media entrepreneur, Kailash Sirohiya, Chairperson of Kantipur Media Group, today (May 21).
The warrant was issued following a series of news stories critical of the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane by the Kantipur national daily. The paper has been publishing news about the alleged involvement of Home Minister Lamichhane in the misappropriation of cooperative funds, along with convincing documents.
Lamichhane has, however, repeatedly discredited the media for publishing news that is critical of him.
Sirohiya has said he was issued the arrest warrant for the news stories his media published, exposing the irregularities.
Meanwhilem media reports suggest that the arrest warrant was issued on the basis of a complaint filed over Sirohiya’s citizenship matter in Dhanusha district.
Sirohiya was arrested from the media office on May 21. He has be remanded to custody for three more days for further investigation.
Freedom Forum is concerned over the incident. Such action by the security authority will been seen as discouraging by media and fellow journalists.
FF Executive Chief Taranath Dahal said, “The arrest warrant against media entrepreneur Sirohiya seems to be guided by the undue influence of the Home Minister. Irrespective of the investigation on the citizenship issue, the media house’s right to freely report and expose irregularities must not be assailed by harassing the media entrepreneur.”
