The police are also set to implicate Kumar Tamang and Raju Lohar, the other alleged accomplices who are at large, for their role in the murder. Maharjan was allegedly shot dead by Lohar using Tamang´s weapon. [break]
Police presented the three accused at Lalitpur District Court on Friday and got the permission to keep them in judicial custody for seven days, which can be extended to 24 days for further investigations.
The family of Maharjan has been demanding that the accused be also tried for abduction, but Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhog Bahadur Thapa said it would be easier to sentence them for the biggest offense. “The charge of abduction and arms possession would naturally be invited considering the nature of the case.
The charge of murder, however, is the strongest and would carry the most stringent punishment,” SP Thapa explained.
Maharjan, 21, was shot dead in the Simpani jungle of Naalu VDC in Lalitpur last Friday. Police recovered her body from Lele jungle Wednesday morning.
Police nabbed Upreti´s accomplices after preliminary investigations revealed that he had got his girlfriend killed by hiring contract killers.