KATHMANDU: The arrest of media tycoon Kailash Sirohia has drawn their serious attention, said the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC).

Issuing a joint statement on Thursday, the private sector organisations said that they are aware that anyone proven to have acted against the law should face action but it is not appropriate to arrest someone based on a complaint.

“The arbitrary arrest and detention on the basis of a complaint will further reduce the morale of entrepreneurs, businessmen and investors and will not give a positive message,” reads the statement.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the Confederation of Nepalese Industry, and the Nepal Chamber of Commerce have been saying since a long time that they should not be arrested in case of complaints or allegations but should be given a chance to clarify themselves.

“It is our request that entrepreneurs, businessmen or anyone should not be arrested based on complaints, but the state should listen to them. Since the trend of listening only after detention has a negative impact on the entire sector, we urge the state to provide bail in advance if necessary and proceed with the legal process only after the charges are proven,” added the statement.

The private sector organisations noted that the country has not yet recovered from the economic crisis.

“In this situation, we urge all concerned not to disturb the business environment.”

They noted that an investment environment cannot be created by demeaning any businessman and discouraging them.

“Now small to big businesses in the country need encouragement and encouragement. The government should provide guardianship to industrialists and investors. We would like to draw everyone's attention again to the fact that the work of disturbing the business environment in the country should not be done on any pretext.”