Kathmandu, July 17: The Special Court has ordered the release of former Finance Minister and CPN UML Vice Chairman Bishnu Prasad Paudel on a general date, ruling that there is no need to keep him in custody or require bail while the case proceeds.
A bench comprising judges Narayan Prasad Poudel, Dilli Ratna Shrestha, and Bidur Koirala cited three key grounds for its decision.
The court stated that the evidence available at this stage does not establish Paudel’s involvement in the alleged offence, that he has denied the allegations during his statement, and that there is no evidence showing he had any financial transactions or linkages with Deepak Bhatta or received any property or financial benefit from him.
Based on these findings, the Special Court concluded that detention or the imposition of bail was not necessary and ordered his release on a general court appearance schedule.
Leader Paudel was arrested in Surkhet on Ashad 8, 2083 BS by the Department of Money Laundering Investigation. Authorities had repeatedly extended his remand while conducting the investigation before filing the case in the Special Court. #nepal
