The Pokhara High Court has upheld the district court's verdict in the caste discrimination case filed by ward member Maiya Nepali against Pokhara Metropolitan City-24 Ward Chairman Bharat Bahadur Adhikari. 

A joint bench of Justices Anju Upreti Dhakal and Marina Shrestha on Wednesday rejected the appeal of Ward Chairman Adhikari. With this, the lower court's decision to convict him in the caste abuse and untouchability case has gained legal validity.

Earlier, a bench of Kaski District Court Judge Avni Mainali Bhattarai had sentenced Adhikari to 4.5 months in prison. The verdict also ordered a fine of Rs 75,000 and a compensation of Rs 10,000 to the victim. The verdict was also based on the provision that if a person holding a public office commits caste discrimination, an additional 50 percent punishment is imposed as per the prevailing law. Although he was initially released on a bail of Rs 150,000, he was found guilty in the final verdict.

On 24 Poush 2079, ward member Maiya Nepali had filed a complaint against ward chair Adhikari for caste and social untouchability and discrimination. After the complaint was filed, the police arrested him on 26 Poush and initiated an investigation. In the case, advocates Ishwar Pariyar, Kunjani Pariyar Pyasi and Shiva Sunar argued on behalf of the victim along with the government lawyer, while 13 legal professionals defended the defendant.

This case, which was filed under the Caste and Other Social Untouchability and Discrimination (Offences and Punishments) Act, 2068, had gained attention in local politics and social circles. Various organizations and institutions had been continuously pressuring the victim by forming a joint Dalit struggle committee in Kaski.