Kathmandu, August 26

The Supreme Court today ordered the government to produce Khadga Bahadur Bishwakarma, spokesperson for the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal, before the court within 24 hours.

The order was passed by a single bench of Justice Kedar Prasad Chalise in response to a petition for a writ of habeas corpus filed on behalf of Bishwakarma on August 24. The court has also asked the government to furnish reasons for Bishwakarma’s arrest.

Bishwakarma’s brother Birendra had filed the petition, saying police had illegally arrested his brother for the third time and detained in Nuwakot District Police.

Petitioner’s lawyer Kapil Chandra Pokharel said police rearrested Bishwakarma in violation of laws, including the new penal code. The petitioners have demanded compensation saying his brother was being subjected to physical and mental torture by police.

Pokharel said police’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court’s earlier order to release Bishwakarma from custody amounted to contempt of court.