Kathmandu: Former All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) President Ganesh Thapa has filed a defamation case against ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai at the Kathmandu District Court.
Thapa alleges that Rai committed an offense under Section 306(1) of the Muluki Criminal Code Act, 2074, and has sought legal action in accordance with Section 307 of the same act. He is demanding punishment under Sub-Section (1) of Section 307, compensation under Sub-Section (2), and reimbursement of legal expenses incurred in the case.
As per Section 307 of the Criminal Code of Nepal, a person found guilty of libel can face up to two years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 20,000, or both. The law also stipulates an additional one-year imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 10,000 if defamation occurs through electronic or mass media.
The case follows allegations made by General Secretary Rai, who claimed that Thapa embezzled Rs 170 million from ANFA during his tenure and later deposited Rs 80 million back into ANFA’s account after a money laundering investigation.
Thapa has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and an attack on his character. He had previously lodged a complaint against Rai at the Cyber Bureau in Bhotahiti regarding the claims.
The Kathmandu District Court will now proceed with the legal examination of the case.