Kathmandu — Nepal’s Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing in a corruption case linked to the Lichhibari bribery scandal involving former minister Ranjita Shrestha. The case has been listed before a joint bench of Justices Hari Prasad Phuyal and Shreekanta Paudel.
Earlier, the Special Court had ordered Shrestha’s release on bail. However, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) has challenged that decision and filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
The CIAA argues that the bail order was not in accordance with legal provisions and has requested that Shrestha be kept in custody pending trial.
On Falgun 10, the Special Court set bail at Rs 500,000 for Shrestha after determining a claimed embezzlement amount of Rs 7.8 million in the case. The CIAA has described the bail order as “improper.”
The anti-graft body had filed the corruption case at the Special Court on Asoj 22, 2082 BS, naming Shrestha among the accused and alleging financial irregularities totaling Rs 7.8 million. The Supreme Court hearing will determine whether the bail order will remain in place or be overturned.
