Court Orders Durga Prasai Released After Rejecting Custody Extension

The Bhaktapur District Court has ordered the release of medical entrepreneur and campaigner Durga Prasai after rejecting a police request to extend his judicial custody for seven more days. The decision came from a bench led by Judge Navaraj Dahal, which declined the remand extension sought to continue investigating allegations including offenses against the state.

Court Registrar Dal Bahadur Bajimaya confirmed that the court refused to prolong custody, clearing the way for Prasai’s release. The ruling marks another notable moment in a long-running series of legal battles involving the controversial figure, who has repeatedly drawn public and judicial attention in Nepal.

Prasai has faced a string of legal actions in recent years, including arrests and court proceedings tied to cybercrime, public-order concerns, and other allegations. In earlier cases, courts have also intervened on custody questions, sometimes ordering his release or granting bail while separate investigations continued.

The latest decision highlights the court’s role in determining whether police had sufficient grounds to keep him detained longer for further inquiry. By refusing the extension, the bench signaled that the requested custody period was not justified at this stage of the investigation.

Prasai remains one of Nepal’s most polarizing public figures, known for mixing business, activism, and politics in ways that have repeatedly triggered legal scrutiny. His release is likely to renew debate over both the substance of the case and the broader pattern of arrests, detention, and court challenges surrounding him.

Authorities have not yet indicated whether investigators will pursue additional steps after the court’s order. For now, the immediate outcome is clear: police custody will not be extended, and Prasai is set to walk free following the district court’s decision.