KATHMANDU: Rekha Kumari Sharma, a Provincial Assembly member from the CPN (UML), has been arrested on charges of employing and abusing a minor as a domestic worker.

She was taken into custody late last night by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office from her residence in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu.

Sharma, an elected lawmaker from Lumbini Province, had faced allegations around one-and-a-half years ago. She was accused of keeping a minor girl as a domestic worker for six years and subjecting her to physical abuse and exploitation.

According to reports, the victim had stated that she was frequently beaten. Her deteriorating condition had prompted the Kathmandu Metropolitan City to rescue her from Sharma’s residence at the time.

Despite a complaint being filed, the District Government Attorney’s Office had decided not to prosecute Sharma. The decision was made during the tenure of then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

The case file, including the decision not to pursue charges, was later reviewed by the National Human Rights Commission following public criticism that political influence had shielded the lawmaker from accountability.

At the time, then Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah had also publicly criticized to the incident.
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the current charges or legal proceedings.