Kathmandu, November 28
Comedian Apoorwa Kshitiz Singh has been fined Rs 10,000 by the Kathmandu District Court after a bench of Judge Kapil Mani Gautam’s bench deemed him partially responsible for offences related to public peace, caste discrimination and untouchability.
Kshitiz was arrested on August 28, 2022, after some Newa activists filed a complaint saying one of his performances disrespected their community and culture. After getting under fire on social media, Kshitiz published an apology video, yet the police arrested him and sent him into custody.
The Kathmandu District Court, on October 21, 2022, ordered the police to release Singh on bail of Rs 250,000.
Singh has said that this verdict from the court compromises free speech. He has said he will consult with his lawyers, stating that he will consider appealing the judgment at a higher court once the full text of the verdict is released by the court.
