Three bodies of private sector express concern over Sirohiya’s arrest

KATHMANDU: Three bodies of the Nepali private sector – the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), and Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) – have expressed serious concern over the arrest of media entrepreneur Kailash Sirohiya.

Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, the business organizations said they firmly believe that anyone proven guilty of violating the law must face consequences. “Arresting and detaining individuals merely based on complaints, however, can demoralize entrepreneurs, businesspeople and investors, and send a negative message,” they said in the statement. “We want to draw attention to the possibility of such actions further demoralizing the private sector at a time when their confidence needs to be boosted.”

The representative bodies of the Nepali private sector have said that the government should follow due process and provide opportunities for clarification before taking legal action based solely on allegations.

“Instead of detaining entrepreneurs and businesspeople right away, the state must listen to their perspectives,” they stated, advocating for the provision of interim bail until charges are proven. “Proceeding with legal action only after charges are substantiated would be a better approach to avoid adversely impacting the overall business environment.”

Police arrested Kailash Sirohiya, the chairperson of Kantipur Media Group, from his office in Thapathali on Tuesday evening after Dhanusha District Court issued a warrant for him for investigation into charges of holding two citizenship certificates.