Controversial activist and medical entrepreneur Durga Prasai was arrested shortly after midnight on Monday from his home in Bhaktapur and brought to Kathmandu. Kathmandu Police spokesperson SP Pawan Kumar Bhattarai said Prasai was taken into custody after authorities concluded that his recent public remarks could incite unrest and spread fear among the public.
Bhattarai noted that Prasai’s speeches and social-media posts carried provocative and disorderly elements, raising concerns over public security. “Freedom of expression does not allow anyone to provoke chaos or intimidate the public,” he said.
“His recent activities were creating disturbance and spreading misinformation, so we took him under control and began the investigation.” Prasai is currently held at the District Police Complex in Teku under a case related to breach of public peace and order.
Controversial Remarks and Rising Public Concern
In recent weeks, Prasai had delivered strongly worded speeches criticizing inflation, governance and political leadership. His calls for nationwide protests and warnings that the country could “shut down,” along with suggestions to stockpile food supplies, were widely seen as creating unnecessary fear.
He also faced criticism for accusing political, business and public figures without evidence. According to police officials, his repeated spread of unverified and misleading claims had become a serious concern.
Previous Arrests and High-Profile Investigations
This is Prasai’s fourth arrest in recent years. After the violent Tinkune protest, he had reportedly gone into hiding. A police team traveled through Delhi, Lucknow and Rajasthan before finding him in Assam’s Baxa district, where he was arrested at night.
The operation became one of the longest-distance arrests carried out by Nepal Police. He was investigated on allegations of offenses against the state and organized crime, with authorities linking his statements to the protest that resulted in two deaths and more than 20 injuries.
On Mangsir 4, 2081, the Central Investigation Bureau arrested him on cybercrime charges after he accused former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli of investing in a foreign telecom company—claims police said were based on unverified documents.
His first arrest occurred on Asoj 6, when he refused to open the gate of his Bhaktapur residence and police entered using a ladder. A court warrant had been issued following complaints that he had made offensive and defamatory statements targeting various individuals.
Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation
Police officials say Prasai will be presented before the court after his initial statements are recorded and digital evidence is reviewed. The court will then decide whether to file charges, grant bail or extend custody. For now, investigators are examining his recent speeches, public videos and online content to determine whether they violated laws related to public peace, misinformation and incitement.
