Mahara to face trial following his treatment

Kathmandu, October 12

Police will present former speaker of the House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara on attempt-to-rape charge before the court, once he is discharged from the hospital.

Mahara who was held in custody at Metropolitan Police Circle, Singha Durbar, was admitted to Thapathali-based Norvic Hospital after he complained of chest pain on Thursday afternoon.

Mahara has been under medication for respiratory ailments since long.

There has also been a rise in his blood pressure. Doctors of respiratory and cardiac diseases have been attending Mahara, according to a hospital source.

“We will not discharge Mahara until his blood pressure stabilizes. In case of complications of his lungs he may require an extended period of treatment at the hospital,” said the source.

“We will not present him before the court until the hospital discharges him. The hospital should first recommend that he is in good health,” said Hobindra Bogati, Deputy Superintendent of Police, who also is the spokesperson at Metropolitan Police Range, Teku.

The investigation is in progress even as Mahara continues to receive treatment at the hospital, according to DSP Bogati.

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

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

He was arrested from his official residence, Baluwatar, on October 6. “Punishment on attempt to rape case is jail term of three years along with a fine of Rs 30,000,” said Gopal Krishna Ghimire, a senior advocate.

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, Ghimire added.

As the court is currently closed for an extended period, Mahara’s arraignment has been postponed. Police are required to present Mahara before the court seeking extension of his remand to judicial custody on October 15, Ghimire said.