Mahara should be punished as per the existing laws if proven guilty: Chair Dahal

GHORAHI, Nov 6: Nepal Communist Party Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who is in police custody for attempted rape charges, should face action as per the existing laws if proven guilty.

“If Mahara is convicted of attempted rape, he should be punished,” said Dahal while addressing a press conference in Ghorahi, Dang on Wednesday.

Mahara was arrested on Oct 6 two days after a female parliamentarian secretariat staffer lodged a FIR against him accusing him of physically assaulting and trying to rape her at her Tinkune-based apartment on Sept 30. Mahara stepped down from his position on moral grounds and “to felicitate the investigation” a day later.

After completing the hearing trial, the Kathmandu District Court on Monday sent him to Dillibazar prison until the final verdict.

“Mahara showed his morally weak character and committed a huge mistake lying to the party and the leaders. I sent Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Jokh Bahadur Mahara to get informed about the sexual assault allegation but he lied,” said Dahal.

“I hope the court will give a just verdict over the case. Mahara should cooperate the investigation,” he added.

On a different note, Dahal said that Dang will be made the capital of Province 5 based on evaluation of the geographical, economic and the latest development trend.