Roshni Shahi, who was linked to the Mahara case, has been found dead

In 2019, Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who was then the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal, was accused of attempted rape by a woman named Roshni Shahi, an employee of the Parliament Secretariat.

Details of the Allegation:

• In late September 2019 (Asoj 2076 B.S.), Roshni Shahi claimed that Mahara came to her rented apartment in Tinkune, Kathmandu, in an intoxicated state.

• She alleged that he tried to sexually assault her after consuming alcohol.

• According to her statement, Mahara forced his way into her residence and tried to rape her, causing injuries during the struggle.

• The incident gained massive media attention and sparked political controversy across Nepal.

Legal and Political Consequences:

• After the allegation became public, Mahara was forced to resign from his position as Speaker on October 1, 2019.

• He was arrested shortly afterward and sent to jail pending trial.

• The case went to the Kathmandu District Court.

Later Developments:

• During court proceedings, Shahi retracted or changed key parts of her original statement, leading to uncertainty in the prosecution’s case.

• In February 2020 (Falgun 2076 B.S.), the court acquitted Mahara, stating that there was not enough evidence to convict him.

The case was controversial not just for the serious nature of the allegation, but also because of the retraction and the political sensitivity surrounding a high-ranking figure in the government.