Nepal police detain three journalists in newsroom visits, then prime minister orders their release

Plainclothes police in Kathmandu detained three journalists on Friday 30 October and spent nearly three hours trying to take a fourth into custody from his newspaper's office, before Prime Minister Balendra Shah ordered the detained reporters to be freed and told authorities to stay out of newsrooms.

Those held were Bishwamani Subedi of Nepal Press, Dhiraj Basnet of DNA Khabar and Shobharaj Baral of Motivate News. Police also tried to detain Nawaraj Mainali of Naya Patrika. Police said the Cyber Bureau had called in media workers to check the accuracy and legal basis of reports about the force, following concerns raised by the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister's Secretariat denied any involvement or prior knowledge. His adviser, Deepa Dahal, said Mr Shah gave the release order as soon as he learned of the incidents. Information Minister Bikram Timilsina said all those detained had been freed, though individual release times are unconfirmed.

Press Council Nepal said police had given no reasons and shown no warrant or court authorisation. Press-freedom advocates and parties including the ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party condemned the action. The reports that prompted the visits carry allegations about senior officials that have not been independently established, and NepalUK has not repeated them.

The legal basis for the detentions and who initiated them remain unclear. For Nepalese readers abroad who depend on reporting from home, the episode tests the government's commitment to press freedom. Latest update: Kathmandu Post, 31 October 2026,