Former Madhesh Province Chief Rajesh Jha Remanded in Custody Over Rape Allegations

The Kathmandu District Court has ordered former Madhesh Province Chief Rajesh Jha (Ahiraj) to be kept in custody for trial in a rape case.

A single bench of Judge Pitambar Sharma issued the order on Wednesday. Jha was arrested from Kathmandu on July 20. He has been accused of repeatedly raping a young woman who worked as his assistant. According to the victim, Jha used to call her to his house alone and sexually abuse her.

The complaint was officially registered with the police on February 15, 2025. However, the woman had also filed an earlier complaint back in 2021. Using a changed identity at that time, she had claimed that Jha began sexually abusing her when she was just 17 years old and working in his home. In Nepal, sexual relations with a minor, even with consent, are considered rape.

During the first complaint, Jha reportedly fled to India to avoid arrest. Later, with the help of the National Women Commission and rights activists, the victim filed a formal complaint at the Kathmandu District Police Office on January 23, 2025.

The District Government Attorney’s Office has filed charges under Section 219(2) of the Criminal Code, demanding a sentence of 7 to 10 years in prison. Additionally, a fine of Rs 300,000 has been sought under Section 219(3)(Ga).

Rajesh Jha has often presented himself as a nationalist and a Madhesh-based activist.