Aagya Khabar
Kathmandu
Rajesh Jha, also known as ‘Ahiraj’, the former Chief of Madhesh Province, has been arrested on rape charges. A resident of Rautahat, Jha is currently in custody at the District Police Office in Bhadra Kali, Kathmandu. He was taken into custody after a 23-year-old woman filed a complaint accusing him of rape.
According to the police, the victim and Jha were known to each other through family connections. During his tenure as the province chief, Jha frequently stayed at the victim’s home in New Baneshwor whenever he visited Kathmandu. Having begun his public career in journalism, Jha was known at the time for his “cultural” and “intellectual” image. It was on the basis of this reputation that the victim’s family had offered him shelter in their home.
In her police complaint, the victim alleged that Jha repeatedly raped her while staying at their residence. Due to the gravity of the accusations, the victim’s family eventually felt compelled to come forward and reveal the truth. A police officer involved in the investigation revealed that a sum of NPR 400,000 had once been deposited into the victim’s bank account. A police source stated, “Jha claims this amount was taken by the woman as part of a bargain, but the deposit in the victim’s account does not substantiate his claim.”
The victim filed her complaint against Jha on the 3rd of Magh, 2081 BS (mid-January 2025). Following this, Jha filed a counter-complaint against the victim, accusing her of extortion. He claimed that she had demanded NPR 5 million and that he had paid only NPR 400,000.
However, the victim has strongly denied these claims in her statement to the police, saying, “If you can prove the accusations against me, I am ready to face legal consequences.”
Jha, who was appointed Chief of Madhesh Province in Falgun 2077 BS (March 2021), had been on the run since Chaitra 25, 2081 BS (early April 2025), after a court issued a warrant against him. According to SP Apil Bohora of the District Police Office, Kathmandu, Jha is currently under investigation for rape as per the court’s directive.
SP Bohora further stated that coordination is underway with the Office of the Government Attorney to determine how to proceed with two separate cases — rape and extortion. Ahiraj has denied all allegations of rape against him.
