Durga Prasai and his bodyguard held from Jhapa

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 12: Police have brought absconding Durga Prasai, the commander of the pro-monarchy movement who led the violent protest in Kathmandu on March 28, back to Kathmandu from Jhapa. 

Nepal Police arrested him in Bhadrapur, Jhapa, and brought him to Kathmandu via Chandragadhi after he was handed over to the Jhapa District Police Office by Indian police officers.

The police administration of Nepal has also arrested Prasai's bodyguard, Deepak Khadka and brought him to Kathmandu. The authorities flew them to Kathmandu from Bhadrapur on a Buddha Air flight on Friday afternoon.

Prasai was taken to the Bhadrapur Airport in handcuffs while being brought to Kathmandu.

Police formally arrested Prasai, who faces accusations of inciting violence during the pro-monarchy group's demonstration in Tinkune on March 28, from the Bhadrapur area, confirmed Deputy Inspector General and Spokesperson for the Police Headquarters, Dinesh Acharya. 

Earlier, Prasai's secretariat claimed that he had surrendered to the Assam Police on Thursday. The Assam Police reportedly brought him to the border area and handed him over to the Nepal Police in Jhapa.

12-day custody extension for Prasai 

Meanwhile, the court has granted a 12-day extension to keep Prasai in custody for necessary investigation.

According to Kathmandu District Court’s information officer Deepak Kumar Shrestha, the bench of Kathmandu District Court Judge Shishir Raj Dhakal approved the 12-day custody extension to facilitate the ongoing investigation against Prasai.

Similarly, a 12-day extension has been granted for the detention of Dipak Khadka, the bodyguard who was arrested along with Prasai. According to Information Officer Shrestha, since Prasai is a cancer patient, the court has instructed the police to arrange for his treatment based on medical advice.

He had been on the run after inciting violence during the protest on March 28. However, on Thursday, the Special Bureau of Police arrested him in India and brought him to Bhadrapur this morning. From there, he was flown to Kathmandu.

Controversial businessman Prasai had led the formation of the "United People's Movement Committee" on March 17, under the leadership of former National Panchayat chairman and Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Navaraj Subedi, intending to reinstate the monarchy. Subedi had declared Prasai as the commander of the movement.

On March 28, after Prasai stirred up chaos, the pro-monarchy protest turned violent. During the demonstration, two people, including a journalist, lost their lives. Several vehicles were torched, and both public and private properties were set on fire.