Kathmandu, Feb 11 (UNI) The Nepal Communist Party (NCP)'s Dahal-Nepal faction has demanded the immediate release of leader Ram Kumari Jhakri, who was arrested earlier on Thursday.

Ram Kumari Jhakri, a leader of Dahal-Nepal faction of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), was arrested for her comments on Nepali President Bidya Devi Bhandari.

Charges against Jhakri includes Clause 58 of 'The National Penal (Code) Act, 2017' that relates to the Prohibition of Intimidation of President or Parliament.

Jhakri was summoned by Nepal Police for questioning regarding her recent comments on President Bidya Devi Bhandari today and was taken into custody.

The Pushpa Kamal Dahal - Madhav Nepal faction has said that the state is being 'vindictive' by charging Jhakri for a crime against the state simply on the basis of a political statement, it condemned her arrest and demanded her immediate release.

As per a report by Himalayan Times, Nepali Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa had proded the Nepal Police chief to take Jhakri into custody.

Jhakri had on Wednesday appeared on the stage of a mass gathering of Dahal-Nepal faction in Bhrikutimandap with her mouth taped, as a mark of protest.

Jhakri has been accused by the police of resorting to character assassination of Nepali President Bhandari during her recent speech in Gorkha district.

The All Nepal Women's Association had handed over a memo to Prime Minister KP Sharma 'Oli' and Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa demanding action against her for her comments on the President. The Association claimed that Jhakri's comments were disrespectful of all single women across the country.

Under Clause 58 (2), under which Jhakri has been charged if the charges are proven she could be jailed up to seven years or fined up to Rs 70,000, or both.

UNI XC-RKM RHK1732