Former Speaker Mahara sent to prison

KATHMANDU, Nov 4: Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who stepped down following the accusation of attempted rape and physical assault on a female parliamentarian staff last month, has been sent to prison for further investigation on Monday.

A single bench of Kathmandu district court justice Sudarshan Pandey decided to remand him in custody, said Information officer of the court Gyan Bahadur Karki. He has been sent to Dillibazar prison.

District attorney office had filed a charge sheet against Mahara on Thursday seeking seven years in jail as per the existing law.

During a hearing trial which began on Sunday, a total of 32 advocates had registered to plead on behalf of Mahara while four lawyers pleaded on behalf of the petitioner.

Mahara was arrested on Oct 6 after the parliamentarian secretariat staff registered a FIR against him two day before accusing him of rape attempt at her Tinkune-based rented apartment on Sept 30.