.png)
The single bench of district judge Thakur Prasad Sharma on Sunday gave the verdict against priest Dipak Upadhyay of Rum VDC finding the latter guilty of casteist discrimination against Shanta Bahadur Bishwokarma. Saying it was part of age-old tradition, Upadhyay had refused to tie the sacred thread around Bishwokarma's wrist during Janai Purnima festival on Aug. 16, 2008.
Bishwokarma and Janaklal Sunar, a dalit rights activist, filed a complaint at the district court demanding strong legal action against Upadhyay.
Upadhyay, who had been absconding since the case was filed, surrendered to the local administration after political parties assured the dispute would be settled outside court. The court released him on general date two months ago. Upadhyay went on record at the court saying he had simply continued an age-old tradition.
