A full bench of Special Court Chairman Mohan Raman Bhattarai and Justices Pawan Kumar Sharma and Mahesh Prasad Pudasaini acquitted Raut on Thursday, citing that the accusation levelled against the defendant by the government could not be established. Raut was arrested in Morang on September 14, 2014. On October 8, the Morang District Attorney’s Office (DAO) had filed a case against Raut on treason charge, accusing the latter of advocating for a separate national anthem and a flag for Madhes nation.  The DAO had sought maximum 20-year imprisonment against Raut. He was released in November after paying Rs 50,000 in bail.

Advocates Dipendra Jha, Surendra Mahato and Birendra Thakur had represented Raut.

Although the Supreme Court had asked the local administration in Morang to present Raut before the court, the Home Ministry had directed Morang police to produce him before the Special Court instead.