May 16. Kathmandu. Lalitpur District Court released former lawmaker Gayatri Shah and her husband, Rajesh Mahato. They were charged with abandoning their newborn baby with Down Syndrome.
Gayatri Shah was released on general court date while her husband was out on bail for Rs.20,000. However, this couple is protesting against Nepal Mediciti Hospital, as they say, that the hospital failed to tell them about the health of their baby during pregnancy checkups.
Nepal’s law prohibits parents or guardians from abandoning or refusing to take care of their children. If found doing so, the legal penalties can be up to three years of prison and a maximum fine of Rs.30,000.
