Pokhara, July 4

District Court Kaski today sought a bail amount of Rs 700,000 from Dr Maheswor Ray Yadav, who was arrested on the charge of using fake certificates.

Kaski police had registered a case against Yadav through the Office of Kaski District Attorney at the district court yesterday. Yadav, working at Marie Stopes Centre, Pokhara was held three weeks ago.

Krishna Nepal, staff  at the district court said that a single bench of district judge Sekhar Paudel had issued the verdict to post a bail amount of Rs 7 lakh to Yadav. “Yadav can post the bail amount or hand over property equivalent to the sought amount. If he fails to do either, he will be sent to jail,” said Nepal.

As the verdict was issued late today, Yadav is in police custody.

Advocates Binod Regmi and Hariraj Pokhrel had deliberated on behalf of Yadav, while assistant district attorney Swotantra Neupane had deliberated on behalf of the government.

The case has sought either five year jail term or Rs 5 lakh fine in cash or both from Yadav.

A resident of Basantpur-5, Sarlahi, Yadav had completed Proficiency Certificate Level in Science from India’s Intermediate Board. Police said Yadav had projected himself as doctor and had been discharging his duty on the basis of fake certificates. Central Investigation Bureau had arrested 36 doctors, including Yadav, and produced them at Kathmandu District Court on June 19.

CIB has been probing the certificates of doctors in collaboration with Nepal Medical Council and Higher Secondary Education Board.

A press statement issued by CIB said that most of the doctors arrested had used others’ certificates.