A single bench of district judge Thakur Prasad Sharma gave the verdict against Ramji Raut of Mirge-3. Raut was convicted of raping a 12-year-old girl while she was on her way to her maternal family’s home at Mainapokhari from Bhimeshwor Municipality. .

According to police, Raut had befriended the minor while the two were travelling on the same bus and later lured her into spending a night at a hotel in Jiri on the night of January 30.  The victim later told the police that Raut had sexually exploited her for two days promising that he will marry her.

Police arrested Raut after the victim’s family lodged a complaint after learning about the incident.  

As sexual intercourse, even consensual, with a girl below 16 years of age is termed as rape under the law of Nepal, Raut had been charged with rape, police said.