SC convicts Nihita, mother for contempt

KATHMANDU, Sept 27: Apart from banning lawyer Shakuntala Thapa from becoming a judge in future, the Supreme Court (SC) on Monday convicted her and daughter Nihita Bishwas, who is the ´wife´ of convicted killer Charles Sobhraj, on charges of contempt of court and slapped seven-day imprisonment and Rs. 50 in fine on each.

A division bench of SC Justices Balram KC and Ramkumar Prasad Shah concluded that abusive language used by the duo accusing the justices of accepting bribes while upholding a life imprisonment for Sobhraj, amounted to contempt of court. [break]

Nihita Bishwas claims to be married to 66-year-old Sobhraj.

She and her mother had used abusive language against the justices while talking to media after the SC delivered a verdict upholding life imprisonment for Sobhraj for murdering an American backpacker in Nepal in 1975.

"The bench hereby convicts the duo for seven days of imprisonment and Rs 50 in fine as per the provisions of the SC Act 2048 BS," states the verdict, adding, "If they pay Rs 175 at the rate of Rs 25 per day, the imprisonment could be waived as per provisions of articles 2 and 3 under the punishment and fine section of the Civil Code."

Thapa and Bishwas would also have to make a written commitment before the SC to never commit contempt of court again.

Both Thapa and Bishwas were absent from court, Monday.

Apex court slaps seven-day jail term and Rs 50 fine

Imprisonment could be waived if duo pays Rs 225 in total

SC bans lawyer Thapa from bench

In addition, the SC has also banned Thapa from assuming the position of judge.

"It is the duty of all lawyers to respect all the courts. Lawyers should acknowledge any verdicts and decisions not only of the courts but also semi-judicial bodies," states the verdict, adding, "Lawyers should not commit contempt of court. As lawyer Thapa has been found guilty of contempt of court, the bench hereby bans her from becoming a judge in future."

The bench has also asked officials concerned to keep a record of the verdict banning Thapa from becoming a judge.

"The bench hereby asks the officials to dispatch a copy of its verdict to the Judicial Council, asking that body to amend its regulations and not appoint any lawyer found guilty of contempt of court including Thapa as a judge in future," the verdict reads.

The justices had asked bench assistants to call the duo before the bench before handing down the verdict. However, the bench issued the verdict after bench assistants said the duo could not be contacted.