Supreme Court orders completion of Durga Prasai investigation within two days

The Supreme Court has ordered that the investigation into businessman Durga Prasai be completed within two days, or he should be released on bail. A joint bench of Justices Binod Sharma and Nityananda Pandey issued the directive on Friday, stating that the investigation should be concluded and charges filed within the extended deadline, otherwise Prasai should be released on bail.

Prasai was arrested on Jestha 4 from Hotel Siddhartha in Birgunj under a warrant for offenses against the state. The police initially received a three-day period for investigation, which was later extended by four more days on Thursday. As this deadline ends on Sunday, the court has instructed that the investigation be completed by then, or Prasai be released.

The joint bench dismissed a habeas corpus petition but issued a special directive to the opposition, considering Prasai’s health condition. He is suffering from throat cancer and requires regular medical treatment and follow-ups. The order noted that there is no objective basis to suggest he would flee or destroy evidence, and thus, keeping him out of detention during the investigation would not make a difference.