Special Court grants relief to Deepak Bhatta in money laundering case, but jail time continues

Kathmandu / Aug. 12: The Special Court has ordered the unconditional release of businessman Deepak Bhatta in a supplementary money laundering case involving CPN-UML Vice Chairman and former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel.

Despite the ruling, Bhatta is unlikely to be released immediately, as a separate detention order against him in the original money laundering case remains in effect.

The Department of Money Laundering Investigation (DoMLI) filed the supplementary charge sheet against Bhatta following further investigation into the initial case. Paudel was also named as a defendant in the supplementary filing.

According to the charge sheet, Paudel allegedly abused his position and influence as finance minister to facilitate the transfer of a 20 percent stake (375,000 shares at Rs 100 per share) in Shriram Tobacco Industries to an entity associated with Bhatta. Prosecutors sought an additional Rs 477.766 million in damages from Bhatta.

On Wednesday, the Special Court ruled that Bhatta is not required to post additional bail, remain on bail, or make scheduled court appearances for the supplementary case. However, because his detention order under the original money laundering charge stands, he remains in custody.