KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has ordered authorities to return computers and other communication equipment seized from the office of Jana Aastha Weekly and the residence of senior journalist Kishor Shrestha.
The order was issued in response to a habeas corpus petition filed by Shrestha’s wife, Saraswati Shrestha. Along with ordering his release, the court directed authorities to return all communication equipment seized from his home and office.
A joint bench of Supreme Court Justices Nahakul Subedi and Balkrishna Dhakal issued the order.
The court noted that the petitioner is associated with a media organisation and that Article 19(2) and (3) of the Constitution guarantees the right to communication, including protection against the seizure of media materials and obstruction of media operations.
The court ordered that all items listed in the seizure records and presented before the bench, which were taken into police custody from Shrestha’s residence and office on August 12 and 13, 2026, be returned to Saraswati Shrestha in the presence of the court’s registrar. It also directed that proof of the handover be included in the case file.
The ruling comes alongside the court’s earlier order to release Shrestha and investigate the case without keeping him in custody.
