Canadian to leave Nepal after work visa revoked over social media posts | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Canadian to leave Nepal after work visa revoked over social media posts

Hindustan Times | By, Kathmandu
May 05, 2016 07:37 PM IST

A Canadian national whose work visa was revoked by the Nepal government over his social media posts will leave the country on Thursday night after the Supreme Court failed to hear his petition challenging the move.

A Canadian national whose work visa was revoked by the Nepal government over his social media posts will leave the country on Thursday night after the Supreme Court failed to hear his petition challenging the move.

Though Nepal’s new Constitution assures freedom of speech and expression, the authorities decided to revoke Penner’s visa as they felt his social media posts could affect “national unity”.(Shutterstock)
Though Nepal’s new Constitution assures freedom of speech and expression, the authorities decided to revoke Penner’s visa as they felt his social media posts could affect “national unity”.(Shutterstock)

The government revoked Robert Penner’s visa on Tuesday and asked him to leave within two days after a complaint was filed with the department of immigration regarding his posts on social media related to issues in Nepal.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Penner filed a petition challenging the move in Supreme Court, which was unable to take up the case on Thursday.

“The Supreme Court had other urgent cases today and was unable to hear mine. I must leave Nepal tonight,” the software solutions provider tweeted.

Though Nepal’s new Constitution assures freedom of speech and expression, the authorities decided to revoke Penner’s visa as they felt his social media posts could affect “national unity”.

Penner posted comments that were critical of the new Constitution and the government’s handling of protests against it in Madhes that resulted in more than 50 deaths. He also questioned the recent arrest of journalist Kanak Mani Dixit on corruption charges.

The Canadian’s lawyer Dipendra Jha tweeted the Supreme Court would hear the petition on Friday and hoped it would rule in Penner’s favour, allowing him to return to Nepal.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Utpal is a Senior Assistant Editor based in Guwahati. He covers seven states of North-East India and heads the editorial team for the region. He was previously based in Kathmandu, Dehradun and Delhi with Hindustan Times.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On