KATHMANDU, Feb 4: President of Reporters´ Club Nepal Rishi Dhamala has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days on Wednesday. The chief district officer (CDO) remanded Dhamala to judicial custody on the request of the police which said it needed more time to carry out the investigation.Police had presented journalist Rishi Dhamala at the District Administration Office in Kathmandu earlier on Wednesday afternoon. He has been charged under Arms and Ammunition Act.
Meanwhile, speaking to journalists at the DAO premises he said his arrest was a plot by the state. He also said he is ready to quit journalism if proved guilty of the charges.
Earlier in the morning Dhamala had complained of sickness and bodyache.
Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu, had earlier planned to make him public at a press conference to be held at Nepal Police Club, Bhrikuti Mandap, at about 3 p.m.
An official at the Range Office claimed that Dhamala had ‘pretended’ to have fallen sick. “We won’t be able to make him public in case he is admitted to hospital at all,” said the police officer, asking to be unnamed. [break]
“His excuse of sickness could be an attempt to avoid the public,” added the officer, preferring to be unnamed.
A senior police official at Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s Office at Ranipokhari said they will furnish details about the crime charges Dhamala is accused of during the conference.
Dhamala is allegedly involved in the activities of little-known armed outfit Ranabir Sena, according to police sources. The outfit had carried out minor bomb explosions in various parts of the country including in the capital city.
Police allege that the outfit is also involved in smuggling arms and extorting businessmen mainly in Tarai districts.
Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu, had arrested Dhamala from Reporters´ Club at Putalisadak on Tuesday evening. He was arrested as per the statements given by one Birendra KM, who was arrested four days ago.
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