The District Police Office in Dhanusha has released Kantipur Publications Chairman Kailash Sirohiya from custody with the consent of the District Public Prosecutor's Office. A police official cited Section 15(1) of the Civil Criminal Procedure Code, which allows an investigating officer to release someone on bail with the prosecutor's approval if custody is not deemed necessary.
Sirohiya, who was arrested on June 8th over a citizenship dispute, was released due to his poor health condition, according to a police officer. He suffers from a heart ailment and was admitted to Kathmandu's Nepal Medicity Hospital on May 25th after initially being treated at a local hospital in Dhanusha.
While granting a third custody extension on Monday, the Dhanusha District Court had instructed that Sirohiya be taken to a proper medical facility given his health issues. The court also warned police against delaying the investigation further.
The arrest of the prominent media entrepreneur stemmed from a citizenship complaint filed against him by Indrajit Mahato, a member of the National Independent Party. Police obtained an arrest warrant on May 21st and apprehended Sirohiya that evening at Kantipur's offices.
National and international organizations advocating press freedom had called for Sirohiya's release. A former citizenship office employee had acknowledged mistakenly issuing Sirohia's certificate.
Sirohiya's lawyer, Raman Karn, said he was released after it became clear the businessman was not responsible for the clerical error made in issuing his citizenship papers.
