SC orders release of Maoist student leader

Kathmandu Sept 22-The Supreme Court (SC) today ordered the government to release Krishna KC, former vice-chairman of the Maoist-affiliated All Nepal National Independent Students Union (ANNISU-R), who is in army custody since last two years.
Deciding on a habeas corpus writ petition filed by KC’s wife Laxmi, a bench of SC Justices Sharada Shrestha and Damodar Sharma issued the order. Stating that there were no clear grounds to detain KC, the court asked the government authorities to immediately set him free.Officials presented KC before a joint bench of SC Justices Sharada Shrestha and Damodar Sharma. KC, whose whereabouts remained unknown since his arrest two years ago from Kathmandu, was taken to the court from the Maharajganj-based Bhairab Nath Battalion of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA).
He was blindfolded while being brought to court premises.Authorities presented him to the SC bench after a court order few days earlier.
Earlier, the government had told the court that security agencies didn’t arrest KC.
The bench ordered to release KC at the presence of the registrar of the Supreme Court.
KC was arrested from Koteshwor, Kathmandu, by plainclothes security men two years ago and had been detained at Bhairabnath Battailion of the Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) in Maharajganj.
Meanwhile, our correspondent on site says there is a high drama going on at the court premises at the moment. KC has himself stuck inside the court building fearing re-arrest while policemen are waiting outside to arrest him.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) members Sushila Singh Silu and Sudeep Pathak and several other rights activities and journalists are present at the court premises to ensure safe release of the student leader