Cleared of attempt-to-rape charge, former Speaker Mahara released from jail

KATHMANDU, Feb 17: Former Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara has been released from Dillibazar prison on Monday, hours after the Kathmandu District Court acquitted him of attempt-to-rape charge.

Issuing the final verdict after concluding the hearing, a single bench of judge Ambar Raj Paudel cleared him of all charges today afternoon.

Mahara was arrested from his official residence in Baluwatar on October 6, after a female parliament secretariat staffer filed a complaint against him accusing him of sexual assault at her Tinkune-based apartment on the night of Sept 30.

He resigned from his position as Speaker following the accusation.

The district court on Nov 4 had remanded him to into judicial custody in Dillibazar prison.

On Nov 21, Mahara had moved the Patan High Court challenging the district court’s decision, demanding a bail.

But the high court had denied the bail stating he could not be bailed since the prima facie evidence went against Mahara, and had ordered the district court to decide the case within one month.

Following the order, the district court had continued the hearing which concluded on Sunday. However, the court failed to issue a final verdict “due to lack of time”.

He can now return to parliament as a full member since he has not resigned as the Member of Parliament.