Press Council Nepal Objects to Arrest of Journalist Bishwamani Subedi

Press Council Nepal expressed serious concern and objection on Friday following the detention of journalist Bishwamani Subedi directly from inside a newsroom. Plainclothes police personnel entered the media office to take the journalist into custody. Editor Chiranjibi Paudel and fellow journalist Rajaram Neupane confirmed the incident, stating that officers entered the workspace and asked Subedi to accompany them to discuss published news contents. According to colleagues present in the newsroom, three officers in civilian clothes carried out the detention without presenting an arrest warrant or court authorization. They reportedly told staff members that they were acting on orders from senior leadership, citing directives from higher authorities. Reports indicate that the arrest was made to identify the source of news articles concerning resignation pressures on the Inspector General of Police. The Press Council issued an official statement noting that taking a journalist into custody without presenting a warrant, providing clear justification, or obtaining prior court approval is a matter of severe concern. The council highlighted that conducting such an arrest right before two consecutive public holidays raises significant questions about press freedom and the professional security of working media personnel. In its release, the council urged the government and police administration to follow proper legal channels. It reminded officials that investigating complaints regarding published news content or potential code of conduct violations remains the statutory legal responsibility of Press Council Nepal. The council demanded the immediate release of the journalist if the detention was executed without proper legal grounds.