KATHMANDU: Rape accused CPN-UML lawmaker Mohan Baniya has been has been released on Rs 500,000 bail.

A single bench of judge Ishwari Bhattarai of District Court Banke issued an order to release him on the bail. He was released on Wednesday itself after he furnished the bail.

A 40-year-old woman had filed a complaint at the District Police Office, Banke, alleging Bhattarai of raping her at Apsara Hotel in Banke.

According to the complaint, Former Minister Baniya called the victim to Apsara Hotel, told her to stay there overnight promising that he would give her money and raped her in the next morning.

Baniya has been suspended from the House of Representatives after being accused of committing rape.