KASKI, Nov 24: The District Court, Kaski on Thursday sentenced Chairperson of Pokhara Metropolitan City-ward no 24 Bharat Bahadur Adhikari to four and a half months in jail sentence along with a fine of Rs 75,000 after finding him guilty of committing an offense of caste-based discrimination and untouchability.
District Judge Abani Mainali Bhattarai handed down the verdict on Thursday against ward chairperson Adhikari in the offense of caste-based discrimination and untouchability, Information Officer of District Court Kaski Suraj Adhikari said.
Caste discrimination, untouchability are crimes: PM Deuba
Adhikari was punished in line with the Clause 7 of the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offence and Punishment) Act, 2068.
As per the Clause 7 of the Act, a person who commits the offence shall be liable to the punishment of imprisonment for a term from three months to three years and a fine from fifty thousand rupees to two hundred thousand rupees.
Ward Chairperson Adhikari is given 50 per cent more punishment since he is a public position holder.
Ward Member of Pokhara Metropolitan City-24 Maiya Nepali had lodged a case of Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability against her chairperson last year.
Likewise, the court has ordered Adhikari to provide Rs 10,000 in compensation to Nepali.
