SSP Lohani released on general date

Biratnagar, September 14

The Biratnagar High Court has ordered to release Diwesh Lohani, suspended senior superintendent of police, who is in custody in connection with the smuggling of 33 kg gold and the subsequent murder of Sanam Shakya, on general date.

A joint bench of the High Court judges Nagendralabh Karna and Saranga Subedi issued the verdict today. On May 22, a single bench of judge Narayan Prasad Sharma of District Court Morang had remanded 28 persons, including SSP Lohani, former DIG Govind Niraula, SP Bikashraj Khanal, to judicial custody for supporting Chudamani Upreti ‘Gorey’, the main accused of the gold smuggling and the murder.

Lohani, who was then sent to the regional prison in Jhumka, had filed an application at the High Court against the district court’s order on June 21.

Advocates Shushil Kumar Panta, Ramchandra Subedi and Devendra Koirala had argued on behalf of Lohani, while Punya Prasad Pathak, Gopal Prasad Rijal and Rajendrasingh Bhandari  argued on behalf of the government today.

Citing lack of evidence to keep him in custody, the court ordered the government to continue the investigation by releasing SP Lohani on normal date.