Sirohia's arrest is disgraceful: Senior Advocate Tripathi

In an interaction program organized by the Federation of Nepal Journalists and the Kantipur branch of the Federation of Nepal Journalists on Thursday, Senior Advocate Tripathi said that even though Sirohia was arrested on the pretext of citizenship, the secret agenda of the state is different.

'In Kantipur, it was reported that billions of rupees were embezzled, how can the cooperative give loans to non-members? How can a cooperative give crores of rupees loan unsecuredly without collateral? Even a person with general knowledge of the legal field can say that they have made a big mistake in cooperatives. He says he is the MD (Managing Director of Gorkha Media), he didn't know about the loan, but the MD is responsible for every activity of that company,' said Senior Advocate Tripathi, 'This citizenship issue was shown, the hidden agenda is different . If it is said that he was arrested because of his citizenship, why has the citizenship taken in the year 2036 not been investigated yet? Why was there no action? When Home Minister Ravi Lamichhane got a series of news and was arrested . There is no malice in it, it cannot be said that it is a clean action.'

Tripathi says that Sirohia, president of Kantipur Media Group, was illegally arrested. Tripathi reminded that the Supreme Court also said that arrest is the last option. He said that if there is no case of escape or tampering with the evidence, the Supreme Court should investigate without arrest. That document is with the administration office or the investigation officer. Then it can be a basis for arrest ? Therefore, Sirohia's arrest is disgraceful, it is against the freedom of the press,' he said .

Tripathi says that Sirohia's arrest is only connected with the issue of citizenship and not with press freedom. This is a citizenship issue, he has nothing to do with press freedom, he is a businessman, what does he have to do with the media? It is important to get rid of the illusion of such things. This is an attack on press freedom,' he said.

Senior Advocate Tripathi said that the President of Kantipur Media Group should also understand why action has not been taken against the Chief District Officer and other government employees who gave citizenship. 'The person who recommended citizenship was prosecuted? Why only Kailash Sirohia in this case ? The name of the chief district officer at that time came ? Did it come that it was recommended and sealed by a certain officer and subba? An arrest warrant has been issued to them ?,' he said.