Kathmandu: Social campaigner and HIV/AIDS survivor Rajiv Kafle is behind police bar after being arrested in a case related to marijuana.
Kafle, 44, a permanent resident of Lalitpur-3, was arrested on September 6.
A police team deployed from Narcotics Control Bureau had arrested Sudhir Pradhan,55, of Nawalparasi with 83.5 grams marijuana on September 6. Pradhan is an employee at Hippie Hills Restaurant in Budhanilkantha. Kancho Lama, 63, of Kathmandu was also nabbed with 43.5 grams marijuana.
Based on the information, Kafle was arrested for investigation into the case, said Superintendent of Police Jeevan Shrestha. The law enforcement agency said Kafle will be charged under Narcotic Drugs Control Act.
Meanwhile, a protest has been held at Maitighar in Kathmandu on Wednesday demanding Kafle’s unconditional release. Protestors claim Kafle was arrested unlawfully.
Kafle has been leading a campaign to legalize marijuana in Nepal. Of late, some politicians from different political parties have raised the voice in favor of legalizing marijuana.
In March 2020, a bill was registered at Nepal’s Parliament demanding legalization of marijuana in Nepal. A total of 46 lawmakers had filed a notice of public important in the House of Representatives demanding the government legalize cultivation of marijuana and ban the import of alcohol.
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