Former minister Chiranjivi Wagle has been released from Dillibazar jail on Sunday after serving a jail term of little over 13 months on graft conviction.

The Supreme Court had in February, 2011 sentenced the Nepali Congress leader to a one-and-a half year jail term and penalty of Rs 20.3 million after convicting him of massive corruption. He was arrested and sent to jail on March 17 the same year.

But on April 11, the Court reduced Wagle’s jail term and fine by 20 percent as per legal provision which entitles a convict to 20 percent reduction on the jail term and penalty if he/she surrenders to the authority within 60 days of court ruling.

Talking to media persons after his release, Gupta simply said that he was a victim of “political vengeance” and “state injustice”.

Wagle is the first former minister to be sent to jail after being convicted of corruption.

Former Minister JP Gupta, who is also a Nepali Congress leader, is currently serving an 18 months jail term after the Special Court found him guilty on the disproportionate property accumulation case. He however remains the first sitting minister to be sent to jail after being convicted of corruption. nepalnews.com