Kathmandu, August 18

The Supreme Court has stayed arrest warrant issued by Kathmandu District Court against actress Shilpa Pokharel, who faces charges of polygamy.

Kathmandu District Court issued arrest warrants against movie producer Chabi Raj Ojha and his second wife Shilpa Pokharel after Ojha’s first wife, Hema Ojha, filed an FIR under polygamy laws. Single bench of Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher JB Rana stayed the arrest warrant issued against Pokharel till September 1, when the court will hear arguments from both parties. The court has yet to prepare the full text of the order.

Pokharel had challenged the KDC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against her at the Patan High Court, which did not nullify the KDC’s order. Pokharel then moved the apex court challenging the lower court’s decision. Ojha, however, has not challenged the KDC’s decision to issue an arrest warrant against him. Ojha’s first wife filed the FIR after Pokharel lodged an FIR against him under domestic vi-olence law, accusing him of subjecting her to physical and mental violence.