Durga Prasain faces additional five days in custody amid cyber crime allegations

Kathmandu, September 25 — The Kathmandu District Court has granted police permission to keep medical professional Durga Prasain in custody for an additional five days for investigation. Previously, the court had allowed a three-day detention for the investigation under the Electronic Transactions Act of 2008.

Prasai, who was arrested on September 22, was presented in court on Wednesday by the Cyber Bureau, which requested seven days for further investigation.

A complaint has been filed against him for allegedly defaming character of people on the YouTube channel "Desh Duniya Khabar" and other channels. The operator, Jiwan Pandey, and presenter, Prakashchandra Dahal, who broadcast his interview, are currently absconding.

A woman affiliated with the Rashtriya Swotantra Party has also filed a complaint against Prasain, claiming that he has 'defamed her character.' Another man has also filed a complaint against him, as stated by SP Bhagendra Purush Dhakal of the Cyber Bureau to Ratopati.

If the allegations are confirmed, he could face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one hundred thousand.