KATHMANDU, Nov 27: The Patan High Court has ordered the release of former leader of CPN (Maoist Centre) Krishna Bahadur Mahara on Rs 2 million bail. Mahara had been arrested for the second time on charges related to gold smuggling through vape devices.
A division bench of Judges Arjun Prasad Koirala and Tejendra Prasad Sharma Sapkota issued the order on Thursday, taking into account the nature of the allegations and Mahara’s age. Mahara previously served as Speaker of the House of Representatives as well.
Patan High Court orders release of former Home Minister Khand o...
Mahara had previously been arrested when Rabi Lamichhane, chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was serving as Home Minister. He was then released on a general date—a decision that drew attention after Lamichhane remarked that “even the state has compassion,” citing Mahara’s health condition.
Following the ‘Gen Z’ movement and the formation of the interim government led by Sushila Karki, Mahara was arrested again. The Kathmandu District Court had subsequently ordered him to be held in judicial custody for pretrial proceedings. The High Court has now overturned that decision and ordered his release on bail.
