The court is moving ahead to put on hold a kidnapping and attempted murder case against Basnet, which entails freezing of his property. Basnet has been accused of masterminding the attack on our correspondent Khilanath Dhakal.[break]
The court´s administrator Bhisma Prasain said that with the case put on hold, Basnet will be able to appear before the court within six years. But his property will be frozen during the period.
“When a case against an accused is put on hold, his property remains frozen,” said Prasain, adding, “The case moves ahead if the accused is arrested.”
The court had issued a 70-day arrest warrant against Basnet for the attack on Dhakal. After the period expired on October 28, it was extended for a month.
“The time for the court to wait has expired,” Prasain said. “Police can arrest him anywhere and present him before the court.”
The Money Laundering Investigation Department that has also frozen Basnet´s assets has already issued a 15-day summons in the name of Basnet. Similarly, the Department of Land Reforms and Management has frozen his land and house.
Though Basnet remains absconding, the process of collecting evidence and witness statements against him will move ahead.
“The process of collecting evidence and witness statements will move ahead very soon,” Prasain said. “If Basnet is not found in six years, a verdict will come,” he added.
Rohit Koirala and Manoj Singh Rai, who have also been accused of the attack on Dhakal, have already been moved to prison. But police have not yet been able to arrest Basnet, the main accused.
Police say investigation so far has revealed that Basnet has been living mostly in India. Superintendent of Police Pradhumna Kumar Karki said a special police team has been mobilized from Nepal to arrest Basnet with help from the Indian police.
“The special team is continuing a manhunt,” Karki said. “He will be arrested wherever found.”
Basnet also faces another case of attack on Abhishek Giri inside the Morang District Court compound. The court has issued a 70-day arrest warrant against Basnet over the case.
Basnet and his men attacked Giri in the court on June 1. And on June 5, Basnet´s men attacked Dhakal for writing news reports about the court attack.
Related story
All assets of organizations in the transport sector will come u...
