Pokhara—Nepal Police have arrested Pokhara based journalist Arjun Giri for his alleged connection with cyber crime on Monday. Giri who is also an editor of Tandav News Weekly and a member of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Kaski was arrested as he had published a news report in his newspaper and online media accusing entrepreneur Bipendra Raj Batas of cheating people.
Giri had published a news stating that Pokhara Metropolitan City- 6 Entrepreneur duo Manoj Shrestha and Janakraj Pahari had filed a report in District Police Office Kaski accusing Bipendra of cheating their money Rs 19.8m and Rs 22.5m respectively during a purchase deal of a hotel property.
Basing on that news, Batas accused Giri of libeling him and filed a report against Giri in Kathmandu. Giri has been taken to Kathmandu for further investigation on Monday. District Police Office Kaski DSP Rabindraman Gurung confirmed Giri’s arrestment that carried out as per the report filed against him in CIB Kathmandu.
Issuing a press release, FNJ Kaski has condemned the Giri’s arrestment. The statement signed by chairman Dipendra Shrestha urged the immediate release of journalist Giri. “It’s wrong to apply cyber crime against journalist as there is a separate government institution called Press Council Nepal to look into such case,” the release further states.
Similarly, Press Organization Nepal, Kaski also condemned the Giri’s arrestment and has demanded the immediate release of Giri. The release signed by organization’s leader duo Madhav Baral and Sandesh Shrestha states the arrestment as a case of attack against press freedom.
FNJ general secretary Ramesh Bista also issued a press release and condemned the Giri’s nabbing. Likewise, Forum of Parliamentary Journalists Gandaki and Reporters’ Club Kaski and Press Union Kaski also issued separate release condemning the police move.
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