KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court today upheld the arrest of a fine defaulter Jangbu Sherpa who was arrested last week.

Following today’s hearing, a single bench of Justice Prem Sharma stated that the apex court intervention was not required since Sherpa’s arrest was not illegal. The bench also noted that he was arrested in relation to execute the court verdict.

A team deployed by the Kathmandu District Court had arrested Sherpa, a convict in foreign currency exchange crime on July 20 after he failed to pay the slapped fine.

Following his arrest, a habeas corpus petition was filed at the apex court seeking the court intervention. Sherpa claimed that he was arrested by the KDC when his review petition was still under consideration at the SC.

Sherpa was featured

at the top of the fine defaulters’ list, as he did not

pay the fine of Rs 6,891,549, that was imposed on him

as per Section 17 (1) of Foreign Exchange Act, 1963,

after he was found illegally possessing foreign currency. The KDC had arrested him converting his jail term for four years after he failed to pay the amount.

He was arrested in possession of US $ 88,100, Indian Rs148,000 with 500 and 1000 notes and Chinese Yuan 4,700, in a sheer violation of Section 3 of the Act.