The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Durga Prasai from custody while hearing a writ of habeas corpus filed by his son, Nirajan.

A bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Shrikant Poudel issued the order on Sunday. Prasai was arrested from his residence at midnight on Nov 18 on charges of making statements that allegedly disturbed public peace.

In its ruling, the Court noted that legal representatives had informed the bench of a new agreement to conduct the Mahaabhiyan program of which Prasai is a part in a peaceful manner.

Given this changed context, the Court stated that the basis for continuing the investigation or keeping Prasai in custody no longer existed.

As a result, the Supreme Court nullified the arrest warrant and all related investigative procedures, including the extension of custody.

The bench ordered that a writ of habeas corpus be issued, directing authorities to immediately release Prasai from what it described as “illegal detention.”