Kathmandu— Kishore Shrestha, Chief Editor of Janaastha Weekly, has been ordered released by the Nepal Supreme Court after a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Saraswati Shrestha. The court determined there was no legal basis to continue holding Shrestha and issued a mandamus order on Monday directing authorities to release him. Justices Nahakul Subedi and Baburam Dhakal presided over the case, which stemmed from concerns about his ongoing judicial detention.

Habeas Corpus Petition And Initial Ruling

Saraswati Shrestha filed a habeas corpus petition challenging her husband’s detention, prompting an initial order from Justice Bal Krishna Dhakal. That single-bench ruling mandated that Kishore Shrestha be brought before the court along with any materials seized during his arrest.

Supreme Court Mandamus Order

The Supreme Court division bench of Justices Subedi and Dhakal subsequently issued a mandamus order to the District Police Range, Kathmandu, directing them to release Shrestha. The court found no justification for continuing his detention, effectively overturning the initial grounds for holding him.

With the Supreme Court’s ruling, Kishore Shrestha is expected to be released imminently and seized personal and professional equipment returned to him.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.