SC orders release of former minister Gupta on bail of Rs 5 million

KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has ordered the release of CPN-UML leader and former minister Raj Kumar Gupta from judicial custody on bail of Rs 5 million.

A division bench of Justices Sharanga Subedi and Sunil Kumar Pokharel issued the order on Wednesday.

Overturning the Special Court’s decision to keep Gupta in custody pending trial, the apex court ordered his release on bail of Rs 5 million or equivalent bank guarantee or property bond.

The Special Court had ordered Gupta’s detention in a corruption case in January. Following the order, he was held at Dillibazar Prison.

The bench also upheld the Special Court’s February decision to release another former minister, Ranjita Shrestha, on bail.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had charged the two former ministers at the Special Court with accepting bribes in connection with the Litchibari land scam in Pokhara.

After initial hearings, the Special Court had remanded Gupta in custody pending trial.

Gupta had challenged the decision at the Supreme Court.