Nepal, May 4 -- The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the release of businessman Shekhar Golchha on bail, ruling that detention should only be used as a last resort.

The directive was issued while hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Seema Golchha. The apex court stated that Golchha must be released on bail or surety and may be kept in custody only if such release is not feasible.

A joint bench of Justices Mahesh Sharma Paudel and Shreekant Paudel concluded that authorities had improperly sought permission to detain him despite the availability of alternatives such as bail. The bench annulled the detention process on those grounds.

Golchha was arrested on April 24 by the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police for fur...