CPN-UML leader Pasang Sherpa, who was arrested in a polygamy case, has been released after paying a fine in lieu of his prison sentence.
On Sunday, a bench of Judge Ananda Prasad Shrestha of the Kathmandu District Court ordered that Sherpa could be released upon paying a sum in lieu of the prison term. Following the order, Sherpa paid the amount and was released.
On November 4, a team from the District Police Range, Kathmandu, arrested Sherpa, who had been absconding in a polygamy case.
The Kathmandu District Court had sentenced Sherpa to one year in prison and fined him five thousand rupees for the offense of polygamy. The decision was later upheld by the Patan High Court.
According to the provision in Section 155 of the National Criminal Procedure (Code) Act, 2017, the court may order an offender convicted of an offense punishable by a jail term of one year or less to be released upon payment of a fine in lieu of imprisonment. This provision does not apply to offenses of a serious nature.
If the court orders an offender to be released under this provision, they must pay a fine of three hundred rupees per day of the sentence.
Sherpa had filed a petition seeking release based on this provision. He was released after paying Rs 109,500 (calculated at Rs 300 per day for 365 days).
