KATHMANDU, Feb 11: Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s Mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) has apologized for his failure to ensure justice to a victim girl, who reportedly suffered exploitation and violence at the residence of Rekha Kumari Sharma, a UML provincial assembly member of Lumbini Province.
Mayor Shah took to Facebook to apologize to the minor girl after state bodies responsible to take action decided not to proceed ahead with the case. He also asked the girl not to panic.
Mayor Shah wrote, “The government has decided not to proceed with the case against the perpetrators of your abuse. Don’t worry. The time will come. To eliminate such discrimination and crimes, and to bring an end to those wrongdoers, you and many others like you must study. You need to understand society.”
The District Government Attorney’s Office (DGAO), Kathmandu, and the High Government Attorney's Office in Patan decided not to proceed with the case against Sharma, who is allegedly accused of exploiting the minor as a domestic worker and committing violence.
On May 27, a team from the KMC visited the house of Sharma in Dhumbarahi following special information about child laborers at her residence. Upon arrival, the team found the 14-year-old girl working at Sharma's house.
The KMC itself had filed a complaint against Sharma at the District Police Range, Kathmandu. However, the case could not proceed ahead as expected.