Court allows 3-day custody for Puskar Khatiwada, religious activist & astrologer

KATHMANDU: Puskar Khatiwada, who identifies himself as a religious activist and astrologer, has been granted permission by the Kathmandu District Court to conduct an investigation while keeping him under police custody for three days.

The court’s decision allows for an inquiry into alleged offenses related to electrical business malpractice.

Khatiwada was arrested on Monday, allegedly for promoting funeral rites and broadcasting them on social media, along with expressing wishes for the deaths of political leaders.

He was apprehended at his residence in Mandikhatar, Budhanilkantha, where police found him conducting a religious ceremony. He is currently held at the police circle in Maharajgunj.

According to District Police Spokesperson (SP) Nawaraj Adhikari, Khatiwada was arrested after performing a ritual following his condolence message for the deaths of political leaders.

The continuous live streaming of the event started from Monday at Mandikhatar, Ward No. 4 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City.