KATHMANDU: The Special Court has ordered the release of CPN (UML) Vice Chair and former Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel on a general date (non-custodial status) following a detention hearing in a money laundering case.

The court, which had previously extended Paudel’s custody five times for investigation, issued the release order following the conclusion of the detention hearing after the formal filing of the case.

A bench comprising Judges Narayan Prasad Paudel, Dilli Ratna Shrestha, and Bidur Koirala ordered the release on a general date, citing a lack of sufficient evidence.

The court noted that immediate evidence failed to establish Paudel’s connection or involvement in the alleged offense, and that the accused had denied the charges during his statement.

The court further observed that there was no evidence showing Paudel had received assets or financial benefits from the alleged financial transactions.

The court ruled that Paudel be released on a general date, with the final verdict on his involvement to be determined as the evaluation of evidence progresses during the trial.