Kathmandu, November 29
The Special Court has sentenced Bikal Poudel, former executive director of the Surakshan Printing Center, to eight years in prison and imposed a fine of Rs 34.2 million on November 28.
The bench, comprising Chairperson Tek Narayan Kunwar and members Tulsi Prasad Tharu and Ritendra Thapa, also ordered Poudel to pay an equivalent amount in restitution.
On October 30, the court found Poudel guilty of irregularities and directed his sentencing.
Similarly, Saphal Shrestha, former director of the National Information Technology Center, has also been sentenced to eight years in prison and fined the same amount in connection with the case.
Both were found guilty of misconduct in the procurement process for excise duty stickers.
The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) filed the case on June 23 against Paudel and 11 others. However, former Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal and other defendants were acquitted.
