Kathmandu, April 24

The Special Court today allowed the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority to keep Sajha Yatayat Chairman Kanak Mani Dixit in custody for 10 days to probe into the allegation that he amassed property illegally.

A bench of Judges comprising Mohan Raman Bhattarai, Prabha Basnet and Mahesh Prasad Pudasaini passed the order after hearing arguments from lawyers representing both the parties in the case.

Dixit, who is also a noted journalist and human rights activist was detained on Friday. He could not be presented before the court today as he remains hospitalised due to elevated level of blood pressure.

The CIAA had sought a month’s detention at the Special Court today.

Three private lawyers Senior Advocate Lav Kumar Mainali, advocates Raman Shrestha and Narendra Pathak, who were hired by the CIAA, pleaded along with government lawyers on behalf of the anti-graft body.

Senior Advocates Shambhu Thapa and Satis Krishna Kharel and advocate Ramesh Badal had pleaded on Dixit’s behalf.

A total of 18 lawyers had filed their applications seeking to represent Dixit, but the remaining lawyers could not speak due to lack of time.

The 10-day detention will be counted from Friday when Dixit was first detained.

Journalist Kunda Dixit said his brother Kanak Mani Dixit’s blood pressure was still erratic but not as bad as yesterday.

His blood pressure was 180/120 yesterday.

Kunda Dixit said he expected his brother’s blood pressure to return to normal level in two to three days. “Hypertension medications take sometime to show effects. I myself have experienced it,” Kunda added.

He said the Special Court had also ordered the government to conduct all the required tests and treatment that his brother Kanak Mani might require.

Kunda Dixit said that the court also passed an order telling the CIAA to allow his brother Kanak Mani to consult his lawyers.