If convicted, Gupta is likely to face 17 years of imprisonment and Rs 8.5 million in fine. [break]
However, the court granted bail amounting Rs 200,000 to one of the accused Arju Subba, saying the available evidences did not establish her direct involvement in the abduction.
“All five, including lawmaker Gupta, have been found being directly involved in the kidnapping of the businessman Pawan Sanghai,” said Bharat Lamsal, administration chief of the Kathmandu District Court.
Gupta and his accomplices -- Gupta’s personal driver Amir Acharya, 22, Kishor Pandey, 28, of Kavresthali-6, Kathmandu, Akash Lama of Kavre and Jit Bahadur Gole alias Bikash Lama of Hetauda -- have been sent to Dillibazar prison following the court order.
A special squad of the Metropolitan Police Crime Division (MPCD) had arrested Gupta from his residence at Bank Road, Siddharthanagar Municipality-5, Bhairahawa on January 17, on the charge of masterminding the abduction that took place on December 22, last year.
Businessman Sanghai, who lives in Dillibazaar, Kathmandu, was kidnapped from Kamaladi Ganeshthan temple where he had gone to offer prayers. He was held captive for 20 days in a house at Sarsyunkharka, Kavre, according to the police.
A single bench of Additional District Judge Bishnu Prasad Koirala denied bail to Gupta and the four others, on the basis of available evidences like phone call records, the money seized from the Gupta’s accomplices and statements of various people interrogated during investigation.
“I am innocent and I didn’t kidnap anyone. It is a grand design of the Maoists and the Madhesi Morcha to finish my political career,” Gupta said at the court premises after the court pronounced the order, adding, “The court took this decision under the pressure from police,” he said.
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