May 24, Kathmandu – Reports have emerged that Kishor Shrestha, Editor-in-Chief of Jana Astha Weekly, has been subjected to conspiratorial threats and pressure through the misuse of state power. Various journalist organizations have expressed concern, stating that this appears to be a systematic effort to monitor journalists.
Two journalist bodies, Press Chautari Nepal and Press Center Nepal, issued separate statements on Monday revealing that Kishor Shrestha, who is also the former chairman of the Press Council, is currently under state surveillance. Hiram Lama, General Secretary of Press Chautari Nepal, alleged that based on news published by Jana Astha Weekly and Jana Astha.com, the Home Ministry, under the directive of the Prime Minister, is attempting to detain journalist Shrestha to force him to reveal his sources.
“These planned pressures, reprisals, and conspiracies against the media outlet and senior journalist Shrestha, backed by state power, represent an undemocratic and direct attack on independent journalism,” Press Chautari stated.
Similarly, Manoj Ghartimagar, General Secretary of Press Center Nepal, noted that Shrestha has been targeted with defamation and threats through social media and other channels. Recently, an audio recording of Shrestha’s conversation with a foreign national surfaced. Shrestha claims that the audio was deliberately fabricated.
He also objected to allegations that a bottle of alcohol and cash were left at the Jana Astha office as inducement related to the news coverage. Jana Astha released a report elaborating the incident: On Friday morning, a caller from a Chinese number contacted Kishor Shrestha, Chairman of Astha Publications Pvt. Ltd. and Editor-in-Chief of the weekly. Identifying himself as ‘Ying’, the caller from Beijing urged Shrestha to write news against former Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party Member of Parliament Sudhan Gurung, offering a bribe of NPR 1 million in cash.
There was no solicitation for money from Jana Astha’s side nor was any such amount accepted. The gang allegedly made the call and deliberately left alcohol and money at the office door. The caller argued that to prevent Sudhan from becoming Home Minister again, all Nepalese media should be mobilized. Jana Astha clearly rejected this proposal and warned against further calls.
Subsequently, the gang adopted another tactic by sending a young woman to leave a bottle of alcohol and NPR 50,000 at the gate of the Jana Astha office in Sanepa, Thadodhung. They have been spreading false narratives on social media based on this incident. In reality, Jana Astha neither demanded nor received any money through phone calls. The gang orchestrated these acts themselves.
Following the commencement of police investigations, efforts have been made to deactivate accounts and spread misinformation. After such activities were noticed on Friday, journalist Shrestha reported the matter to Lalitpur police last Saturday. He has lodged a complaint demanding action against those involved, confirmed by Lalitpur police.
Both journalist organizations have demanded an impartial investigation into the allegations against Shrestha and urged legal action against those involved in the conspiracy. They have warned that all forms of threats, retaliation, and unwanted interference against working journalists must cease immediately, respecting full press freedom guaranteed by the Constitution.
This matter also went viral on social media, prompting the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal to issue a statement on Sunday, calling for punishment of those involved in the incident. “We urge the relevant Nepalese authorities to conduct a serious, thorough, and impartial investigation into these rumors and take strict legal action against anyone directly or indirectly involved as per Nepalese laws,” the spokesperson said.
However, the Chinese Embassy categorically denied the allegations, claiming they were part of a planned smear campaign to damage China’s image. The Embassy emphasized that China always adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs and has been supporting Nepal’s sovereignty, political stability, and economic development.
