The Supreme Court on Sunday ordered the release of controversial medical entrepreneur Durga Prasain, concluding that his detention was no longer justified in view of an agreement reached between the government and Prasain’s supporters to conduct political events peacefully.

A division bench of Justice Nahakul Subedi and Shrikant Paudel directed that a habeas corpus petition in Prasain’s favour be executed, noting that the understanding reached between the government and Prasain’s party on November 22 permitted peaceful assemblies.

The bench instructed court officials to complete the paperwork in the presence of the registrar and hand Prasain over to his son, Nirajan Prasai. He was later released.

Earlier, a single bench of Justice Meghraj Pokharel had ordered authorities to present Prasai before the court along with the grounds for his arrest while hearing the habeas corpus petition.

Prasain had been arrested by police on November 17 from his Thimi-based residence in Bhaktapur. Authorities had been investigating him under charges related to public order offences, citing inflammatory remarks made during agitation announcements and an assessment that his activities could incite violence.

Police had defended the arrest as a preventive measure, arguing that his statements could escalate tensions.