KATHMANDU, Oct 14: Nepal Police has decided to record the statement of the disgraced former speaker of the House of Representatives, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, on Tuesday from Norvic Hospital, where he has been admitted since last week for treatment.
He had resigned on October 1 after being accused of raping a female staffer of parliament secretariat and is currently being treated at the hospital under police custody.
According to police, the hospital has declined to discharge him citing his high blood pressure.
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Mahara, who was arrested on October 6 after the staffer formally lodged a police complaint of attempted rape, was admitted to Thapathali-based Norvic Hospital on Thursday after he complained of respiratory problems.
“We have been taking updates about his condition from the hospital regularly. Police can record his statement from the hospital from Tuesday if he is not discharged,” said Hobindra Bogati, spokesman at the Metropolitan Police Range, Teku.
Police have already recorded Mahara’s preliminary statement in the presence of the district attorney after his arrest. Mahara is yet to be presented before the court for remanding him in custody due to Dashain holidays. The court was closed until Sunday due to the Dashain festival. All courts across the country will remain closed on Monday as well to mourn the death of former Chief Justice Keshav Prasad Upadhyay.
Police will seek to extend his custody once the court opens on Tuesday, whether the hospital allows them to present Mahara before the court in person or not. It is customary to present the accused before the court to remand them under custody. In case the accused is not presented before the court due to health reasons, police will have to present the hospital’s report to seek an extension of custody.
The victim had registered a written complaint with the police alleging Mahara of rape attempt under the influence of alcohol. Mahara then resigned from the post on October 1 after the ruling NCP asked him to step down to pave the way for fair investigations.