KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered that Durga Prasai not be kept in detention.

A joint bench of Justices Manoj Kumar Sharma and Meghraj Pokharel issued a writ of habeas corpus directing authorities not to hold Prasai in custody.

Prasai had been taken into custody after the Election Commission, on February 16, 2026, sent a letter to the police calling for investigation and detention. Prasai was held in custody with permission from the District Administration Office.

Claiming that he had been arrested and detained without cause, Prasai had filed a habeas corpus petition at the Supreme Court. Acting on his petition, the court issued the writ ordering his release.

On Monday, the Supreme Court had also ordered the Election Commission to produce the original file related to its decision to detain Prasai.

A joint bench of Justices Nahakul Subedi and Meghraj Pokharel had directed the authorities to submit the complete original file, including the decision stating that a letter had been sent by the Election Commission and that the arrest had been carried out accordingly.