Police on Monday detained Prem Chalaune, an assistant professor of Tribhuvan University, while he was preparing to stage a fast-unto-death at Kathmandu District Court.

Chalaune had reached the court to begin the hunger strike to protest against the government’s decision of withdrawing a case against student leaders of the Nepal Students Union accused of attacking him.

The assistant professor was attacked with an iron rod by a group of students associated with the student wing of the Nepali Congress at the university premises in October 2020. Chalaune had sustained serious injuries in his head, chest, neck and thigh.

Police had lodged the case charging five student leaders including Hari Acharya and Yogendra Rawal.

A recent Cabinet meeting had decided to withdraw the case sub-judice at the court. The Kathmandu District Attorney’s Office registered an application at the court on Sunday for the implementation of the Cabinet decision.

Chalaune said the court was set to deliver a verdict on Tuesday.

“I am starting a hunger strike at the court from tomorrow,” Chalaune had said on Sunday.

“I have lost faith in the government as the state has turned against me.”