Prem Sagar Poudel Raises Serious Objection to Bharat Dahal’s Arrest, Demands Explanation from Government
Dragon Media Correspondent
Prem Sagar Poudel, Founder and President of the Nepal–China Mutual Cooperation Society and a political analyst, has expressed serious objection to the arrest of political analyst Bharat Dahal, demanding that the government and police publicly clarify the legal grounds for his detention. Poudel maintained that sharing a report published by the American media outlet The Grayzone, analyzing its contents or questioning the government on that basis does not, in itself, constitute a criminal offense. He emphasized the need to distinguish clearly between political criticism and conduct prohibited by law.
In a statement published on Facebook on Sunday, Poudel described Dahal as a longtime friend. Although the two have not met in person for several years, he said their longstanding friendship remains important to him. However, Poudel presented the issue of freedom of expression as a broader matter of citizens’ rights rather than personal relationships. He stated that agreement with all of Dahal’s views was not necessary to defend his right to speak, write, raise questions and criticize the government.
Poudel said that if The Grayzone’s report contains factual inaccuracies, the government should respond with evidence and issue a documented rebuttal. If Dahal is accused of violating the law, police should identify the specific expression under investigation and explain which legal provision it allegedly breached. He cautioned against treating political criticism as a criminal offense through vague allegations of spreading misleading information.
Questioning the government and police directly, Poudel asked which particular statement made by Dahal was unlawful. He also raised concerns about whether citizens were being discouraged from discussing foreign media investigations, examining the relationships and activities of public officials, or demanding accountability from those holding political power. He questioned whether people expressing disagreement with the government should have to fear arrest for exercising their right to express an opinion.
Poudel stressed that police investigations must be guided by law and evidence rather than political disagreement or dissatisfaction among influential figures. He also called for an official response to publicly reported allegations of political pressure surrounding Dahal’s arrest. Judicial authorization for an arrest does not establish that an allegation has been proved, he said, nor does it remove the constitutional rights of the person taken into custody.
He demanded that the authorities disclose the precise legal grounds for the allegations against Dahal, safeguard all his constitutional rights and explain the necessity and justification for his arrest. Poudel further stated that Dahal should be released immediately if he was detained solely for expressing criticism or sharing a published investigative report.
Dahal was taken into custody on Sunday in the Sundarharaicha area of Morang district. According to publicly reported police statements, the arrest was made at the request of the Cyber Bureau in Kathmandu following authorization from a court. His detention has prompted wider discussion about the legal limits of action against political commentary and the circulation of investigative material on social media.
Poudel concluded that the matter extends beyond Dahal as an individual. The fundamental question, he said, is whether every citizen can question the government without fear. Reaffirming his personal affection for Dahal as an old friend and his commitment to protecting freedom of expression as a citizen, Poudel urged the government and police to clarify both the legal basis and the justification for the arrest.
