President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on Monday granted pardon to a notorious culprit who had been doing time for attempted murder.

Rudra Prasad Parajuli, who was slapped a jail term of over seven years, was convicted of shooting at a businessman in Arghakanchi. A statement released by the President’s Office said Parajuli was exempted from his additional jail term on the Cabinet’s recommendation. Parajuli had shot at Tara Sunar and robbed him on February 18, 2013. The police had confiscated a pistol and the loot while arresting Parajuli and two of his aides.

Article 276 of the Constitution of Nepal empowers the President to pardon criminal offences. The article states: “The President may, in accordance with the law, grant pardons, suspend, commute or remit any sentence passed by any court, judicial or quasi-judicial body or administrative authority or body.”

There has been a tradition of the head of state granting pardon on special occasions such as the Republic Day.