Hearing on Mahara’s appeal for release today

KATHMANDU, Dec 19: The Patan High Court is hearing on the appeal today filed by former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara seeking his release.

Chief judge Nahakul Subedi and judge Tek Narayan Kunwar are hearing the case.

Mahara is doing time in Dillibazar prison since the Kathmandu District Court remanded Mahara to judicial custody on Nov 4.

He was arrested on Oct 6 after a female parliamentarian secretariat staff registered an FIR against him accusing him of physical assault and attempted rape at her Tinkune-based apartment on Oct 30. He stepped down from the position following the accusation.

On Nov 21, Mahara filed an appeal at the high court challenging the District court’s verdict, claiming himself innocent and asking for a release.

The district attorney office has sought seven years of imprisonment for Mahara as per the existing law.