Supreme Court seeks explanation for Bharat Dahal’s arrest

Kathmandu, September 23, 2026 — The Supreme Court has ordered the government to explain the grounds and reasons for the arrest of political analyst Bharat Dahal.

A bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued the show-cause order while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed against Dahal’s detention on charges of spreading rumors against the government.

Dahal’s daughter, Denika, had filed the petition seeking his release, arguing that he was being held unlawfully.

During the preliminary hearing, the bench ordered the respondents to submit a written response explaining the basis and reasons for his arrest.

Meanwhile, the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police has obtained a three-day remand from the court to investigate Dahal, who was arrested Sunday from Salakpur in Morang.

Dahal had traveled to Koshi Province on September 18 to participate in various political discussions and programs. After attending a program on Saturday, he was preparing to return to Kathmandu on Sunday when police took him into custody from a tea shop in Salakpur, Sundarharaicha Municipality-8.

Dahal has been accused of disseminating through social media a report published by US media outlet The Grayzone about Nepal’s Gen Z movement. On September 12, he shared the Grayzone report on social media under the headline “Another Explosion in the American Press.”