Kathmandu, October 14

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, former speaker of the House of Representatives who was taken into police custody for investigation into attempt-to-rape charge levelled against him, will be presented at Kathmandu District Court tomorrow.

As the court is currently closed for an extended period, Mahara’s arraignment has been postponed.

“We will be taking him to the court immediately after it reopens. A medical superintendent will be accompanying Mahara,” said a police source on condition of anonymity.

Further procedures for investigation will be set in motion when the court opens, added the police source.

Mahara, who was held in custody at Metropolitan Police Circle, Singha Durbar, is currently admitted to Thapathali-based Norvic Hospital after he complained of chest pain since Thursday afternoon. Mahara has been under medication for respiratory ailments and blood pressure since long.

The hospital however is unsure when Mahara will be discharged. “His blood pressure is fluctuating and doctors are treating him. We can’t tell anything about his discharge date now,” said Rajendra Bahadur Singh, executive director at Norvic Hospital.

“As per today’s report Mahara’s blood pressure has fallen sharply. He needs to be continuously monitored,” said a hospital source.

Roshani Shahi, a nurse at the Parliament Secretariat had lodged First Information Report on October 4 alleging that Mahara attempted to rape her. In the FIR, she also charged Mahara of using violence against her.

On September 30, Shahi had accused Mahara of trying to rape her the night before, at her rented apartment in Tinkune. Mahara had then resigned from the post of speaker on October 1 following the allegation.

He was arrested from his official residence in Baluwatar on October 6. Punishment for attempt to rape case is a jail term of three years along with a fine of Rs 30,000.

The case should be filed in the court through the office of the district attorney within 25 days following the arrest of the crime suspect.

Police are required to present Mahara before the court seeking extension of his remand to judicial custody.