Kathmandu District Court has remanded Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leader and former National Planning Commission member Arnico Panday to four more days in custody following allegations that he harassed a woman online.

Superintendent of Police Deepak Raj Awasthi, spokesperson for the Cyber Bureau of Nepal Police, said the court granted permission on Thursday to hold Panday in custody.

“Although the court has extended the custody by four days, the case might even conclude tomorrow [Friday] as the bureau has already submitted the investigation documents,” Awasthi said, noting the complaint was not recent.

Panday was detained on Wednesday after a woman filed a complaint accusing him of using abusive and defamatory language against her through WhatsApp and email.

The complainant accused Panday of harassment and character assassination, alleging he described her as “of bad character” and “the wrong kind of woman.” Awasthi said the complaint was based on such remarks. “The application was registered after he allegedly used words questioning her integrity and labelling her characterless,” he explained.

Since Panday could not be presented before the court on Wednesday, he was brought in on Thursday, where the Cyber Bureau requested an extension of his custody.

Court’s information officer Deepak Kumar Shrestha confirmed the decision, adding that custody could be extended further depending on the progress and necessity of the investigation.

The bureau says the case is being pursued under Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, which broadly covers offences such as cyberbullying and online defamation.

“Since we don’t have an exact definition and demarcation of different cybercrimes like harassment or sexual harassment, we have taken this case under Section 47,” said Awasthi. “Broadly, we can say the case is being pursued for cyberbullying and character assassination.”

The Section 47 states, “If any person publishes or displays any material in the electronic media including computer, internet which are prohibited to publish or display by the prevailing law or which may be contrary to the public morality or decent behaviour or any types of materials which may spread hate or jealousy against anyone or which may jeopardise the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes and communities shall be liable to the punishment with the fine not exceeding Rs100,000 or with the imprisonment not exceeding five years or with both.”

If any person commits the offence from time to time he/she shall be liable to the punishment that increases by 50 percent each time, it says.