The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) to release Sajha Yatayat Chairman Kanak Mani Dixit.

Journalist and social activist Dixit was arrested by the anti-graft body on April 22 on charge of his involvement in corruption in capacity of Sajha Yatayat chairman.

The Special Court on April 24 had sent him to judicial custody for 10 days.

After a hearing on a habeas corpus writ filed at the SC by Dixit’s wife Shanta Dixit on April 27, a single bench of Acting Chief Justice Sushila Karki and Justice Jagdish Sharma Poudel on Monday issued Dixit’s release order.

Stating that the decision of the Special Court to keep Dixit in custody for investigation is not appropriate, the apex court asked the authorities concerned to release him on general date.

In her habeas corpus writ, Dixit’s wife Shanta had claimed that her husband was being detained illegally. The apex court on April 28 had asked the CIAA to produce Dixit before court on Monday.

Following his release, Dixit said he had full faith in the judiciary.

After his release, Dixit was taken to the Intensive Care Unit of Bir Hospital.

He was kept at Gaushala police station on the night of his arrest (April 22) and was taken to Bir Hospital the following day after he developed health complications, including elevated blood pressure.