Supreme Court directed Nepal Police to stop a drive against “hooliganism” in the capital.

Kathmandu, April 8 – The Supreme Court has directed Nepal Police to immediately stop a drive against “hooliganism” in the capital.

A joint bench of justice Sushila Karki and Kalyan Shrestha on Sunday passed an interim order instructing Nepal Police not to violate the personal freedom or choice of any individual in the name of controlling crime or similar other excuse.

“The clothes an individual chooses to wear or the decision to keep the hair or beard long is clearly a personal choice of an individual,” the Supreme Court said in its verdict, “this personal freedom of an individual cannot be violated in the name of controlling crime or any other excuse.”

More than 1000 men, most of whom are young and have long hair and wear earrings, have been arrested since the drive began couple of months back. Many were detained under the Public Offence Act for “making noise or loitering”. Some were also released without charge a day after their arrests after a thorough haircut.

The drive caused widespread outrage and criticism on social media and in newspapers with people saying that it curtails freedom of individuals