Court grants 5-day remand for Durga Prasain in cybercrime case

Kathmandu, November 20 — The Kathmandu District Court has granted permission to keep medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain, in custody for five days.

The court's ruling, made by Judge Madhav Prasad Adhikari, permits the police to detain Prasain for five more days for further investigation.

Prasai, who was arrested from his residence in Bhaktapur on Tuesday, was presented before the court as soon as the office opened on Wednesday.

Prasain is accused of committing a cybercrime by making a "controversial statement" against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli through a video message. The District Court had issued an arrest warrant for him following the charges of cybercrime, said SP Hobindra Bogati.

The police are preparing to file additional charges against him, according to officials involved in the investigation. Prasain had accused Prime Minister Oli of investing 20 million dollars in Cambodia.

The police is preparing to charge him with the crime of creating fake documents, a violation of the law. Under the Criminal Code Act, 2017, creating fake documents is prohibited, and under Section 306 of the same law, dishonoring someone is also prohibited. If these crimes are confirmed, Prasai could face a sentence of two years in prison, and an additional one year if done through electronic means.

Under Section 285 of the Criminal Code Act, 2017, criminal disturbances are also prohibited, and Prasai could face charges for criminal disturbances. If proven, he could face up to three years in prison.

The law also prohibits the creation of false evidence under Section 89. The police are also preparing to investigate the creation of false evidence against him. If proven, this could lead to a sentence of up to five years in prison.