‘Bikni killer’ Charles Sobhraj freed from Nepal jail after 19 yrs 2 mths

TIL Desk/National/Kathmandu/ Charles Sobhraj, 77, who is popularly known as “serpent killer” and “bikini killer” was freed from the jail on Friday afternoon as per the order from the Supreme Court of Nepal. On Wednesday, Nepal’s Supreme Court had ordered the release of Sobhraj for different reasons.

A joint bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Til Prasad Shrestha hearing a habeas corpus petition lodged by Sobhraj had ordered his release if he need not be jailed for another case, and added that arrangements be made to return the French citizen back to his country within 15 days.

He should have been released much ago but due to political maneuvering, it got delayed, Nihita Biswas, who is known as his fiancee, told reporters in Kathmandu ahead of his release from the central jail.

He should have been released some five years ago but it could not happen, said Biswas, adding that political party only released their people from the jail, and did not give preferences to his early release. He has spent 19 years and two months in central jail in Kathmandu.