Patan High Court Protects Journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak From Arrest

16th June 2025, Kathmandu

In a significant development for press freedom in Nepal, the Patan High Court today issued an interlocutory interim order restraining authorities from arresting veteran journalist Dil Bhusan Pathak.

Patan High Court Protects Journalist

The court’s decision comes in response to an arrest warrant issued by the Kathmandu District Court, which stemmed from a defamation complaint filed by Jaiveer Singh Deuba, son of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Foreign Minister Arzu Rana Deuba.

The complaint against Pathak is related to a YouTube video titled “Jaiveer Deuba’s Money in Hilton!”, aired on Pathak’s “Tough Talk” channel.

The video questioned Mr. Deuba’s alleged financial involvement in a share transaction concerning the Hilton Kathmandu Hotel investment.

Pathak had petitioned the Patan High Court to challenge the legality of the arrest warrant, arguing that the case falls under the purview of the Press Council Nepal, not criminal prosecution under the Electronic Transactions Act.

Presiding over a single bench, Judge Rishi Bhandari acknowledged the gravity of the issue and issued the temporary order to prevent Pathak’s detention before a more thorough examination of the matter.

Court Information Officer Parbati Hitan confirmed, “The interlocutory interim order instructs authorities not to detain or cause the detention of Pathak and has summoned both parties for the next hearing.”

A full hearing has been scheduled for June 19, where the court will determine whether to issue a full interim order.

The arrest warrant and subsequent legal proceedings have elicited strong reactions from media organizations and civil rights bodies across Nepal, with many characterizing the move as an attempt to suppress journalistic voices critical of those in power.

Advocates emphasize that investigative journalism, particularly into matters involving public figures and financial transparency, must not be criminalized.

Dil Bhusan Pathak is widely recognized for his extensive career in investigative journalism and as the host of “Tough Talk,” a prominent program that addresses critical political and social issues in Nepal.

This ongoing controversy has intensified broader discussions regarding freedom of expression, media independence, and the application of legal frameworks like the Electronic Transactions Act in regulating journalistic content.

The outcome of the upcoming court hearing is anticipated to have a profound impact not only on Pathak’s case but also on the future boundaries of journalistic scrutiny and freedom within Nepal.

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