KATHMANDU: Former King Gyanendra Shah’s communications secretary Phaniraj Pathak has been released by police on the condition that he no longer uses royal titles such as “His Majesty” or “Shree 5” in his public statements.

Pathak was taken into custody early Friday morning near his residence, after a verbal complaint was lodged against him for repeatedly referring to the former monarch using royal honorifics in social media posts and public messages.

He was held at the Kathmandu District Police Range for the day, and released later in the evening after committing not to refer to the former king as ‘His Majesty’ in the future.

He also reportedly agreed to remove previous posts containing such references from his Facebook page.

“We have released him on the condition that he will not use ‘His Majesty’ anymore in his writings or statements,” said SP Apil Bohora, spokesperson for the Kathmandu Police Range.

“He has also assured us that previously published content with such references will be taken down.”

Pathak has now been handed over to his relatives.