Kathmandu, April 2 — The Kathmandu District Court has prolonged the detention of senior leaders from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), including Senior Vice-Chairman Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana, as well as another 39 individuals, for an additional six days. This extension aims to allow authorities more time to investigate these individuals’ roles in the violent demonstrations that took place last Friday.
On Wednesday, Judge Dhakaram Poudel passed an order allowing the authorities to maintain custody of the individuals for further investigation. The detention is based on accusations involving offenses against the state, causing public disturbances, and engaging in organized criminal activities. According to Registrar Tirtharaj Bhattarai, the people detained on Tuesday were granted a custodial extension of seven days.
At first, the court permitted up to five days of detention for people apprehended following the violent protests supporting the monarchy on Friday. Out of these detainees, 11 individuals, such as Mishra and Rana, are undergoing investigation under state offense statutes, whereas the rest confront accusations related to causing public disturbances and engaging in organized criminal activities.
Included among those detained in the same incident were Durga Prasai’s assistant, Manindra Rajbhandari from Lamjung, and Gopal Malla from Rupandehi, along with several others.
The police stated that 112 individuals were initially detained following the demonstrations. After initial inquiries, 81 people, including Swagat Nepal, who was representing Friday’s protest event as their spokesperson, were let go.
The monarchy supporters’ rally at Tinkune became chaotic, leading to two fatalities and harming 129 individuals, comprising 55 regular policemen, 22 armed police members, and 52 demonstrators. Out of these, six ordinary cops, one armed force member, and 17 protestors are still under medical care in the hospital.
