Manish Jha Calls for Investigation Into Media Blockades

Rastriya Swatantra Party spokesperson and Dhanusha-3 lawmaker Manish Jha has called for an impartial investigation into the vehicles found blocking the entrances of media houses and other locations in Kathmandu, saying anyone involved must face action under the law.

The incident has drawn particular attention because one of the vehicles was being used by an RSP leader. Jha, however, has publicly rejected any attempt to shield those responsible on political grounds.

In a Facebook post, he described the obstruction of media offices and other premises as wrong and demanded that the people behind it be identified.

“Leaving vehicles in front of media houses and other places to obstruct access is wrong. Whoever is involved must be investigated and acted against,” Jha wrote.

Five vehicles taken under police control

On the morning of Asar 29, vehicles were found parked in a manner that blocked access outside Kantipur Publications, Onlinekhabar and Himalaya Television.

Similar obstructions were found outside Bhat-Bhateni Supermarket and the residence of Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa.

Police took all five vehicles under control and began an investigation.

The spread of the vehicles across media offices, a commercial establishment and the home of a major political leader has pushed the case beyond an ordinary parking violation. Investigators now have to establish who brought the vehicles, why they were left at the entrances and whether the incidents were connected.

It remains unclear whether the vehicles were left there casually or as part of a planned effort to obstruct access and create psychological pressure at sensitive locations.

Car used by RSP leader found outside Kantipur

One of the vehicles left outside the entrance of Kantipur Publications was found to have been used by RSP leader Rabi Jaiswal.

Police said the vehicle is registered in the name of Jyoti Concern but had been booked and used by Jaiswal.

No evidence has yet been made public showing that Jaiswal, the RSP or any other organisation directed anyone to leave the vehicle at the media house.

Police are investigating who drove it there, why it was abandoned at the entrance and whether it had any connection with the vehicles found at the other four locations.

Despite the link to a leader from his own party, Jha said the investigation and legal process should apply to everyone involved. His statement signals that the matter should not be concealed or politically protected because of party affiliation.

‘The state should not create more fear’

Jha also criticised the wider handling of the incident, saying the state is responsible for addressing public anxiety rather than deepening fear among citizens.

“The state should resolve the concerns of citizens. The state itself should not create more terror,” he wrote.

He said governance must be responsible, mature and accountable, and questioned the conduct surrounding the episode.

“Can state affairs be run with such childishness?” he asked.

Referring to the sacrifices made during the Gen Z movement, Jha said the continuation of crude and wrongful practices by state institutions after political change could not be accepted.

“Was the Gen Z sacrifice made for such substandard and wrongful use?” he wrote, registering his strong objection to the incident.