Justice Prevails! The Patan High Court has set Durga Prasai, a well-known activist and entrepreneur, free on bail of Rs 25 lakh in a banking offense case. This decision, made on August 4, 2025, overturns an earlier ruling by the Kathmandu District Court that had kept him in custody. The joint bench of Justices Tank Prasad Gurung and Dilli Ratna Shrestha made the call, granting bail in two cases, including one tied to the Tinkune incident on March 28, 2025. In the Tinkune case, Prasai’s bail was set at Rs 300,000 for his alleged role in a violent royalist protest.
Prasai, a medical entrepreneur and owner of B&C Medical College, faced serious charges in the banking offense case, accused of misusing loans worth Rs 7.25 billion from various financial institutions. The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) alleged he diverted loans for purposes other than intended and failed to repay them on time. Despite these accusations, the Patan High Court found grounds to release him, considering his health condition as a cancer patient. The court’s ruling also freed four others linked to the Tinkune protests, though seven remain in custody.
The Tinkune incident, a chaotic pro-monarchy demonstration, turned deadly, claiming two lives, including a journalist, and caused widespread property damage. Prasai, labeled the field commander, faced charges like attempted murder and money laundering. His arrest in India in April 2025, followed by his transfer to Kathmandu, marked a dramatic chapter in this saga. The Patan High Court’s decision now allows Prasai to face these charges outside jail, sparking debates about justice and accountability in Nepal’s legal system.
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