Case against actor Paul Shah being heard today

KATHMANDU: The case against Paul Shah will be heard today in Tanahun district court. The hearing date in the case, which has been repeatedly postponed, was set today.

Tanahun district court official Meen Bahadur Kunwar informed that the trial date of today, Jan 17, is being investigated by demanding the decision of the Nawalpur court in the case against Shah. He stated that the Nawalpur court’s decision had been forwarded for further investigation.

A case was also filed against Shah in the District Court of Nawalpur. However, on Sept 6, Nawalpur acquitted Shah of rape and sentenced him to two and a half years in prison for child sexual abuse. On Jan 17, the Tanahun Court is expected to either acquit or sentence the defendant to prison.

Senior advocate Kamal Mohan Wagle, who argued on Shah’s behalf, stated that there was a correspondence in the Tanahun district court to provide a certified copy of the Nawalpur court’s judgment. According to the Tanahun District Court, Judge Kamal Prasad Acharya has requested the decision of the Nawalpur Court.

While studying the case, advocate Bhanubhakta Subedi, who argued on Shah’s behalf, informed the court that what was decided in Nawalpur would be upheld in Tanahun.

Subedi informed that artist Shah had petitioned the Pokhara High Court against the Nawalpur court’s decision. The girl’s father filed a complaint with the District Police Office Tanahun on Feb 23, alleging that Shah had repeatedly raped her daughter.

Shah himself came to the police office on Feb 27. The case is being looked at with interest as the victim first filed a complaint saying that he had been forcibly raped, but later changed his statement.