Bhuwan Giri, who has been accused of marital rape, surrendered to the Kathmandu District Court on Monday.

On April 3, a joint bench of Supreme Court justices Hari Prasad Phuyal and Til Prasad Shrestha had invalidated the rulings of Kathmandu District Court and Patan High Court and had ordered that Giri be sent to judicial custody.

Giri’s wife Aarati Rawal started a fast-unto-death claiming that no action had been taken despite the apex court’s order.

The accused surrendered to the court earlier on Monday, said Ramu Sharma, registrar at the Kathmandu District Court.

“Preparations are underway to send Giri to judicial custody.”

Rawal has also demanded that she be provided medical expenses and allowance.

The Kapilvastu District Court, on April 3, had issued an arrest warrant against Giri following a complaint registered by Giri’s wife at the Kapilvastu District Police Office, a month ago, accusing the judge of marital rape.

Giri’s wife has accused her husband of domestic violence and sexual exploitation.

Giri, who was assigned to serve as district judge at the Kapilvastu District Court last June, was transferred to the Judicial Council in Kathmandu a month ago.

In November last year, Giri’s wife had lodged a complaint at the District Police Office, but the police refused to register her complaint. Soon after that Giri had also filed a complaint against his wife at the District Police Office accusing her of stealing money.

Following the police’s refusal to register her complaint, Giri’s wife went to Kathmandu and spoke to various media outlets. On February 15, Giri’s wife staged a demonstration outside the federal parliament building at New Baneshwar. She and two other women were arrested for protesting.

She had filed a complaint at the National Human Rights Commission and the National Women’s Commission, seeking action against her husband. She also filed another complaint at the Judicial Council.

She is Giri’s second wife. He had been staying with her after legally separating from his first wife.