HC sets Paul Shah free on charges of pedophilia

The High Court, Pokhara has given a clean chit to actor Purna Bikram (Paul) Shah on the charges of pedophilia.

A division bench of judges Dilliraj Acharya and Shreedhara Kumari Pudasaini acquitted actor Shah on the case.

Earlier, the Nawalpur District Court had sentenced two and a half years of jail term against Shah on charges of pedophilia. After the district's verdict, Shah filed a petition in the High Court, challenging the district court's verdict. However, the District Court Tahanun had acquitted Shah on a rape case against a minor.

The bench of the High Court concluded that the charge sheet against Shah was inadequate, Information Officer of High Court, Pokhara, Bishnu Prasad Acharya said.

Shah's lawyer senior advocate Kamala Mohan Wagle said that actor Shah will be released from jail following the High Court's verdict. "Shah has won the case. He will be released today," according to Wagle.

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