Dilbhusan Pathak appears in court
According to court sources, Pathak recorded his statement earlier today, after which a detention hearing is set to determine whether he will be remanded in custody, released on bail, or freed on a general date.
KATHMANDU: Prominent journalist Dilbhusan Pathak appeared before the Kathmandu District Court today in connection with a case filed under the Electronic Transactions Act, accused of defaming Jayavir Deuba, son of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba.
According to court sources, Pathak recorded his statement earlier today, after which a detention hearing is set to determine whether he will be remanded in custody, released on bail, or freed on a general date.
The Kathmandu District Government Attorney’s Office initiated the case based on a complaint lodged by the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police on Asar 16.
The case cites Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063, which penalizes the publication of illegal digital content.
The charges carry a potential punishment of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 100,000, or both.
The Allegation
The complaint claims that a news story published on a digital platform run by Pathak defamed Jayavir Deuba by alleging links to financial interests in Kathmandu’s five-star Hilton Hotel. The story, titled “Jayavir Deuba’s Money in Hilton”, claimed that businessman Deepak Bhatt had ties to the Hilton through investor Shahil Agrawal and that Jayavir Deuba was indirectly connected to the hotel business, which allegedly extends to Canada.
The plaintiff argued that the publication damaged his personal reputation, incited hatred, and spread false impressions among the public.
The prosecutor’s office has requested the confiscation of the devices used to publish the article — including computers, laptops, and software — and is also seeking appropriate compensation for the alleged harm caused to the complainant.
The court’s decision on pre-trial custody is expected soon.
