Kathmandu, February 23,2012: Nepal’s Supreme Court today jailed Indian-origin Minister for Information and Communications J P Gupta for one-and-a-half years and slapped a fine of Rs 8.4 million on him after he was found guilty of amassing property worth Rs 20.8 million through illegal means.
Gupta, who is the President of Madhesi Peoples’ Right Forum (Republican), was found guilty of involvement in corruption by a division bench of Justices Shusila Karki and Tarka Raj Bhatta, according to court officials. The minister was convicted on charges of amassing property worth Rs 20.8 million through illegal means while he was at the helm of various ministries in the past.
Shortly after he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined Rs 8.4 million, Gupta surrendered before the court. He has been sent to Dillibazaar jail. Following his conviction, Gupta’s ministerial berth and membership of Parliament have automatically been terminated. The Commission for Investigation on Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a case against Gupta at a Special Court in March 2003, accusing him of accumulating property by abusing powers. However, the Special Court had acquitted Gupta in June 2007, citing insufficient evidence to prove him guilty of corruption. As per rules, Gupta’s sentence and penalty will be reduced by 20 per cent as he voluntarily surrendered immediately.
Gupta, who is the President of Madhesi Peoples’ Right Forum (Republican), was found guilty of involvement in corruption by a division bench of Justices Shusila Karki and Tarka Raj Bhatta, according to court officials. The minister was convicted on charges of amassing property worth Rs 20.8 million through illegal means while he was at the helm of various ministries in the past. Shortly after he was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and fined Rs 8.4 million, Gupta surrendered before the court. He has been sent to Dillibazaar jail. Following his conviction, Gupta’s ministerial berth and membership of Parliament have automatically been terminated. The Commission for Investigation on Abuse of Authority (CIAA) had filed a case against Gupta at a Special Court in March 2003, accusing him of accumulating property by abusing powers. However, the Special Court had acquitted Gupta in June 2007, citing insufficient evidence to prove him guilty of corruption. As per rules, Gupta’s sentence and penalty will be reduced by 20 per cent as he voluntarily surrendered immediately.