Kathmandu District Court issued an interim order on April 27, against online news portal Beemapost.com, directing it to remove published news reports.
The court order followed a case filed by Bibek Sikariya, Managing Director of MAW Vriddhi Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd., seeking a restraining order against the news portal. Beemapost.com had published two reports alleging customs and tax evasion by the company's Chairman Bishnu Agarwal during the import of vehicles.
According to the portal’s editor Navraj Neupane, Beemapost.com published two reports on April 7 and 9 based on the Office of Auditor General (OAG) Nepal report. The report stated that the company was found evading customs duties on the purchase of EV vehicles and recommended that the evaded amount be recovered from the company.
Following news publication, Sikariya filed a complaint at the court against the media outlet and its editor Neupane. Subsequently, on April 27, the court issued an interim order directing the portal to remove both reports from all its platforms and not to publish similar news in the future.
According to editor Neupane, neither the media outlet nor the editor was informed about the case or summoned for a hearing before the interim order was issued. The online portal received the court's restraining order at its office in Putalisadak, Kathmandu on May 12. Only then did the media outlet become aware of the case and the court’s directive.
Editor Neupane told FF that the court has seriously undermined constitutionally guaranteed freedom of the press and their right to justice by issuing an interim order without hearing both parties. "We filed an appeal before the court today (May 14) requesting withdrawal of the interim order", Neupane informed.
Freedom Forum is concerned about the court’s order against the media. It is a gross violation of press freedom and the public's right to information. There are legitimate ways, including filing a complaint at Press Council Nepal for any concerns over published news content. However, directly approaching the court and the court’s subsequent biased action against the media are deplorable. FF urges the concerned authorities to duly address the media outlet’s appeal and ensure fair justice in line with constitutional guarantees of press freedom.
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