Police arrested Manish Shrestha, 28, originally from Palpa district and currently residing in a rented room in Dhangadhi, and Bikash Bhatt of Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-4 on December 16, 2025, on charges of misconduct against Rama Chand, Editor-in-Chief of Naya Sandesh Online.
According to the victim, Chand, a complaint was filed at the District Police Office, Kailali on December 15, alleging that the accused pushed her from behind and misbehaved while she was collecting news and live-streaming the Sudurpaschim Mahotsav on December 13, an event organized by the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Based on the complaint from the victim’s side, Inspector Kailash Bista of the District Police Office, kailali stated that Shrestha was arrested from his rented residence on December 15, and Bhatt was arrested from his home the next day, and that an investigation is currently underway.
The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Sudurpaschim Provincial Committee and the Kailali District Branch issued a press statement on December 15, condemning the incident and stating that misconduct against journalists in public places is reprehensible, undermines press freedom and journalists’ safety, and demanding action against those involved in such incidents.