KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 19
Durga Prasad Prasain, a controversial medical entrepreneur, was nabbed today by the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) on charges of disseminating false information on social networking sites about Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.
According to Nepal Police CIB spokesperson Habindra Bogati, Prasain was arrested on charges of cybercrime from his Bhaktapur residence on Tuesday afternoon for disseminating disinformation, alleging PM Oli for investment in Cambodia.
Bogti also stated that Prasain was arrested for spreading hatred and malice by spreading misleading information about PM KP Oli's investment in Cambodia, which affected public morals and manners.
Prasain, who also describes himself as a social activist, stated on a programme that PM Oli's shares in Cambodia are worth 210 million US dollars. Following that, he held a press conference at his home, according to his official Facebook page.
Police was supposed to be presented before the court today, but he was only taken into custody for further investigation after health check-ups.
Prasain recently revealed documents related to PM Oli, alleging that he invested Rs 32.50 billion in a Cambodian telecom company via video call.
"Look at KP Oli's investment in Cambodia, the true character of the current Prime Minister of the country," reads his Facebook post.
"I am ready to die, but I am not ready to bow down to such smugglers. I am aware that making this public has put my life in danger. I also realise that I could be murdered for this. But death is inevitable, even if I die, I am willing to do so in order to expose these smugglers to my Nepali brothers and sisters."
Today, before being arrested, he wrote on Facebook, "Yesterday, immediately after making public the issue of KP Oli's investment in Cambodia through a press conference, the government has once again prepared to arrest me, filing false charges. I request everyone to remain alert and vigilant even if I am arrested on cybercrime, treason or any other charges."
A screenshot of the allegation has been making numerous rounds on every social media platform since it was shared, making headlines in the majority of major national media outlets.
Prasain has been accusing Prime Minister Oli for quite some time. He stated in the video that Oli told the House that he would add some amount to the invested amount and give it to the person who could prove that he invested in Cambodia after Prasain made the allegation.
He also stated that he took the initiative to obtain a verified document proving Oli owns shares worth $ 210 million (approximately Rs 32.5 billion). "I have furnished authentic documents, as Oli would claim that it is fabricated," Prasai stated.
The police claim that Prasain committed a cybercrime by saying misleading and unverified things about the incumbent prime minister and posting them on social media.
Police arrested Prasain two months ago while investigating a woman's complaint.
The police stated that if a person is arrested more than once for the same crime, the police can seek punishment under the repeat offence.
Bogti also stated, "Currently, an offence has been committed under the Electronic Transactions Act 2008. Following that, if additional evidence is discovered during the investigation, the investigation will continue."
Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act 2063 prohibits electronic publication or display of material deemed illegal under existing laws, including vaguely defined material "which may be contrary to the public morality or decent behaviour or any types of materials which may spread hate or jealousy against anyone or which may jeopardise the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes."
It carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of NRs 100,000.
