Yadav, a reporter for the popular regional tabloid Blast Times and the Kathmandu-based paper Jana Aastha, was arrested in the southeastern district of Saptari. He was arrested under the provisions of a sweeping anti-terrorism ordinance introduced in November 2001 that criminalized any contact with or support for Maoist rebels. He was imprisoned at Saptari Jail. Yadav was released on January 17, 2003, according to news reports.