Kathmandu: Kanak Mani Dixit, a well-known Nepalese journalist considered well-disposed towards India, was arrested by an anti-graft body in Nepal for allegedly misappropriating a huge amount of money by misusing his public post.
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The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA), which arrested Mr. Dixit, accuses the editor of illegal accumulation of wealth. Dixit has written extensively for worldwide media, including leading newspapers in India, and is the chairman of Sajha Yatayat, a state-run transportation company, which he has been turning around from a loss-making entity.
Himal Media, a pioneer in South Asia journalism, publishes Himal South Asia, Nepali Times and Himal Khabar Patrika (in the Nepali language).
Kanak Mani’s wife Shanta Dixit said her husband thanked CIAA Chief Lok Man Singh Karki for allowing him to get all the tests done.
The statement says: “We have known Kanak Dixit as a true professional, human rights defender and energetic journalist whose credentials are built on robust research and tremendous courage”.
Dixit was kept in the custody of Metropolitan Police Circle, Gaushala.
“We call upon the Government of Nepal to issue a transparent and unequivocal statement on his detention for we are deeply concerned about his safety and rights”, said the statement.
The body expressed hope that the CIAA will investigate into all the aspects related to Dixit before arriving at any conclusion in the matter.
He is accused of selling the organisational property as own inheritance and investing the income in other corporations.
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He told reporters after the arrest that CIAA chief Karki was showing his vendetta against him. According to Mainali, the Special Court could authorise the CIAA to extend Dixit’s detention in order to carry out further investigation or order the CIAA to carry out investigation without keeping Dixit in detention.
