Kathmandu, 13 August (H.S.): The arrest of senior Nepali journalist and Janastha Weekly editor-in-chief Kishor Shrestha has triggered strong reactions in Nepal. Following his arrest late on Wednesday night, journalists staged an overnight protest outside the District Administration Office. The situation escalated further on Thursday morning after police raided Shrestha’s residence and the office of Janastha Weekly.

Journalists’ organisations have described Shrestha’s arrest as an attack on press freedom and freedom of expression. Journalists alleged that Shrestha was arrested in connection with a published news report and that authorities were attempting to obtain information about the source of the report.

As news of Shrestha’s arrest spread, a large number of journalists gathered outside the District Administration Office. They continued their protest throughout the night and demanded his immediate release. The protesters said that if there was a complaint regarding a published report, the matter should be addressed through due legal process. They argued that arresting a journalist at night and placing him under pressure was contrary to the fundamental principles of democracy and press freedom.

On Thursday morning, police also conducted searches at Shrestha’s residence and the office of Janastha Weekly following his arrest. The action has raised questions among journalists over whether such measures against a journalist’s home and media organisation are justified in connection with the publication of a news report.

Shrestha and Janastha Weekly have faced controversies in the past as well. In May 2026, a disputed audio recording linked to Shrestha became public, in which he was allegedly accused of accepting money in exchange for publishing a report against a political leader. Shrestha rejected the allegations, describing them as part of a conspiracy to discredit him and his media organisation.

Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and other opposition leaders have condemned the government’s action against Shrestha. Opposition leaders said that arresting a journalist over the publication of a news report amounted to a direct attack on press freedom.

The opposition has demanded that the government clarify the legal grounds on which Shrestha was arrested and explain what alleged offence in the published report warranted such action.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar