The District Court rendered its verdict on June 26, 2023, sentencing Bimal Pariyar, 42, known as Bishnu, a resident of Rainas Municipality-3 in Lamjung, and Muna Pariyar, 38, a resident of Dhunibesi Municipality-5 in Dhading, to a term of two years of incarceration. The court found them guilty of the offense of allegation of witchcraft.
District Judge Sanction Parajuli, presiding over the case, delivered the verdict, concluding that the accused individuals were responsible for the aforementioned incident. In addition to the custodial sentence, they were each fined Rs. 22,000 and ordered to pay Rs. 100,000 as compensation to the victim.
The victim, a 49-year-old woman, suffered physical assault and injuries in Dhunibesi Municipality on December 16, 2022. She was promptly rescued by a local resident and subsequently received medical treatment at Sushma Koirala Memorial Hospital in Kathmandu.
Following the victim’s complaint, the district court mandated Muna to secure bail in the amount of three lakhs, while Bimal was remanded in custody for the duration of the pre-trial detention period.
Due to Muna’s failure to fulfill the bail requirements, both individuals remained in judicial custody.