The Cottage and Small Industries Office (CSIO) in Sunsari that uncovered Ghimire´s wrongdoing, had filed a case against him, charging him with risking consumers´ lives. If convicted, Ghimire could face 14 years in jail or a fine of up to Rs 500,000 or both, lawyers said.[break]
However, he walked free on depositing Rs 300,000 after the District Court released him on bail last week.
“The case did not require him to be kept in custody. Hence, we released him on bail,” said Bishnu Kumar Giri, administrator of the district court. Justice Prem Raj Giri had issued the order for Ghimire´s release on bail.
The court has issued an order to Ghimire to be present in court in person for witness statements. The date for the witness statements has been fixed for July 26.
Chief of CSIO Ramananda Sharma had filed the case against Ghimire for flouting the Consumer Rights Protection Act, risking consumers´ lives by supplying LPG in tampered cylinders that are substandard and prone to accident.
“We have sought harsh punishment for the wrongdoing,” said Sharma.
In an earlier case also Ghimire was implicated for illegally collecting cylinders from rival companies. District Administration Office, Sunsari had last year charged him for black marketeering. But he was later release after depositing a bail of Rs 3.84 million.
Government officials some 20 months ago found Ghimire tampering with over 15,000 gas cylinders of more than 20 different LPG bottling companies and selling them under the name of Sugam Gas. They had found the cylinders while being tampered with and renamed when market inspectors raided another of Ghimire´s companies - Nepa Petroleum Trade Link in Khanar, Sunsari.
While the inspectors instantly seized the cylinders from other companies, consumer rights activists had sought stringent action against Ghimire. However, local authorities had showed laxity in the case, particularly after the industry minister attempted to protect him at different intervals.
Related story
Municipalities without facilities
