Case filed against UML leader Mahar for alleged character assassination

KATHMANDU: A case has been registered at the Kathmandu District Court against Ain Bahadur Mahar, who is also a central member of the UML, on charges of engaging in character assassination, insult and defamation through Facebook.

The District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, has filed a charge sheet, demanding punishment along with compensation, saying that Mahar has been confirmed to have committed an offense under Sub-section (1) of Section 47 of the Electronic Transactions Act, 2063.

According to Ramhari Kafle, Chief Deputy Attorney at the Kathmandu District Government Attorney’s Office, while the charge sheet has been registered, the court will hold a hearing on bail once Mahar appears in court.

The charge sheet alleges that Mahar used his Facebook account to post a live video targeting the victim by linking her name and making defamatory remarks. In her statement, the victim said Mahar referred to her as mentally ill and a woman of questionable character, further stating, “Stay away from her,” causing her severe mental anguish.

The victim has claimed that, as a survivor of sexual assault, Mahar’s actions caused serious damage to her personal and family life, and she has sought compensation for the mental trauma inflicted under the Electronic Transactions Act.

Mahar, however, has denied all allegations, claiming that he did not post the video and asserting that the complainant has been spreading defamatory content about him and his family.

He further alleges that the complaint was filed with malicious intent to politically and socially defame him and that the complainant attempted to extort him financially. Mahar has reportedly filed a counter-complaint at Kathmandu District Police Office.

Meanwhile, the victim has also lodged a formal complaint of sexual assault against Mahar with the same police office.