Ward member Heem Bahadur Pathak of Nilkantha Municipality–10 has been sentenced by the District Court to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay Rs. 100,000 as compensation to the victim in a case of caste-based discrimination. The verdict was issued on April 17, 2026.
The dispute arose over irrigation water in a field under the pretext of a canal. Following a disagreement, Pathak allegedly used caste-based discriminatory language and issued threats against Rambahadur Visunkhe, 36, of the same locality on July 3, 2025. The victim subsequently filed a complaint at the District Police Office on August 17.
In the caste discrimination case registered at the District Court on September 4, 2025, the accused Pathak was released on bail of Rs. 100,000 on September 5, 2025, by the District Court.
According to the order of District Judge Man Kumari G.M. BK, the court found the accused guilty under Sections 3 and 4 of the Caste-based and Other Social Discrimination and Untouchability (Crime and Punishment) Act, 2011, which prohibits caste-based and other forms of social discrimination. The court initially sentenced him to one year of imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000.
Since the accused is a public office holder as a ward member, an additional six months of imprisonment and a Rs. 5,000 fine were imposed, bringing the total sentence to 18 months in jail. The verdict also states that the offender must pay Rs. 100,000 as compensation to the victim, according to District Court Registrar Rajendra Luitel.