Jail Years
Poudel spent over 15 years as a prisoner of conscience on various occasions, mostly for being an opponent of the panchayat system. He was detained on the following occasions:
- For 10 months in 1962 in connection with the armed seize of Bharatpur by Nepali Congress.
- For 12 months in 1964 in connection with student movements in Kathmandu.
- For 6 months in 1966 for being involved in a movement to oust the then-Deputy inspector General of Police.
- For 14 months in 1967 in connection with organizational activities of DSYL in Pokhara.
- For one year in 1969 in connection with the reorganization of DSYL in western Nepal.
- For 3 months in 1970 for being involved in the organization and inauguration of Nepal Student Union.
- For 4 years from 1971 to 1975 for being involved in revitalizing political activities after the release of B.P. Koirala.
- For 10 months in 1977 for being involved in the Patan Conference of the Nepali Congress, where a decision was taken to launch a civil disobedience movement (Satyagraha) for the restoration of democracy and release of its ailing leader, B.P. Koirala.
- For 6 months in 1979 for taking a leading role in anti-Panchayat movements
- For 6 months in 1981 in connection with the boycott of Panchayati elections.
- For 9 months in 1985 in connection with the civil disobedience movement (Satyagraha).
- For 3 months in 1988 on a charge of publishing a Nepali Congress organ and for breaching the Publication Act.
- For 5 months in 1989 on a charge of organizing and inspiring people to take part in movement for restoration of democracy.
- For about one and half years from 2003 to 2005 during the King’s direct rule.