Kathmandu, January 28
Durga Bahadur Budhathoki, found guilty in the kidnapping of Babu Raja Rawal, the operator of Valley Cold Store, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison. The verdict was issued by judges Tank Prasad Gurung and Prakash Kharel of the Patan High Court. The court convicted Budhathoki, also known as Sole and Kumar, on charges of abduction and hostage-taking during a hearing on Magh 7. The sentencing was finalised on Magh 14.
Arjun Prasad Acharya, the information officer at Patan High Court, informed Onlinekhabar that Budhathoki was sentenced to 10 years in prison for kidnapping and hostage-taking, with an additional two years added, totaling 12 years. He was also fined Rs 70,000.
Earlier, on Asoj 5, 2078 BS, Budhathoki had been acquitted by Judge Ambika Prasad Niraula of the Kathmandu District Court. The acquittal was based on claims that Budhathoki was an Indian citizen, supported by documents he presented, and that the individuals involved in the kidnapping did not recognise him. However, this decision faced criticism, as police later confirmed Budhathoki was indeed a Nepali citizen. Following this revelation, the Judicial Council investigated Judge Niraula and dismissed him on Falgun 13, 2080 BS.
Budhathoki was arrested by a team led by then-DSP Anil Ghimire of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) in Darjeeling, India, on Poush 15, 2077 BS. After further investigation, the CIB handed the case to the Kathmandu District Police Office. Budhathoki was released from jail after being acquitted, but the case resurfaced when police learned of his release the following day. Budhathoki and his group had kidnapped Babu Raja on Poush 1, 2065 BS.
