Preparation on to take Mahara into police custody as investigation escalates

KATHMANDU: Police have started an investigation into the attempted rape case as the victim lodged First Information Report (FIR) at Metropolitan Police Circle, Baneshwar on Saturday against former Speaker of House of Representatives Krishna Bahadur Mahara.

The victim who is a staffer at Parliament Secretariat lodged complaint citing an attempt to rape and acts of violence, according to police.

Spokesperson at Metropolitan Police Range, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hobindra Bogati told THT Online that police are carrying out the investigation and necessary actions would be taken.

DSP Bogati hinted that preparation was ongoing to conduct the investigation after taking accused Mahara into police custody.

Under the provisions of the constitution, the police department has to enter into correspondence with the speaker or the deputy speaker before arresting a member of parliament.

Although Mahara resigned from his post of Speaker on October 1 following the accusation, he has continued holding his position as a member of the parliament.

Earlier, the victim had reported to the media that she was raped by Speaker Krishna Bahadur Mahara in the evening of September 29, at her rented flat in Tinkune, when her husband was not at home. However, the victim later retracted her statement.

Amid the controversy, Mahara resigned from his post of Speaker.

Mahara’s press advisor, Dilli Malla, had released a press statement rebutting the allegation.

In a perplexing turn of events, the victim retracted her claim later on in the same day. This created much confusion and raised many questions, further indicating an urgent need for the investigation.

On October 2, the police claimed that they were conducting an independent, transparent and rigorous investigation into the alleged rape by Mahara. On the other hand, legal experts also asserted that police could not stop their investigation into the allegation of rape against the former Speaker.

It has been learnt that Minister for Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa, on Friday, held a high-level meeting with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sarbendra Khanal, Deputy General of Police (DIGP) Shailesh Thapa Chhetri at Metropolitan Police Office, Ranipokhari, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Uttam Raj Subedi at Metropolitan Police Range and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Durga Raj Regmi at Metropolitan Police Circle, Baneshwor and issued directive to carry out fair investigation into the case.

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