Lawyer who fought Rayabhar case pro bono says many innocents may be in jails

The Post talked to advocate Radhika Khatiwada, who took up Umashankar Rayabhar’s case, to learn what motivated her to take up the case and in what ways she will be involved in the case in the future.

Umashankar Rayabhar was released from Nakhkhu prison on Sunday after posting Rs25,000 in a bail following a Supreme Court ruling. Correcting the earlier decision by the Patan High Court, the Supreme Court on Friday reduced the bail amount significantly from Rs7.5 million. Making it possible for him was advocate Radhika Khatiwada who took up Rayabhar’s case free of cost. She is providing the legal assistance for free as Rayabhar’s family is too poor to afford a lawyer. Though he has been released, the case against him for an alleged tax evasion amounting to millions, which he apparently never committed, continues in the high court Patan.