SC suspends two judges accused of sexual assault

MAHOTTARI, Feb 23: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday suspended Mahottari District judges Purna Prasad Bastola and Prakash Dhungana and recalled them to Kathmandu following allegations that they were involved in a sexual assault of a woman in Mahottari district.

Earlier on Sunday afternoon, an intoxicated judge Bastola sexually harassed a woman at Shish Mahal Hotel in Bardibas, according to eyewitnesses. Judge Bastola verbally abused the woman, who had reached the hotel to collect money, and tried to drag her toward his room. Locals, who gathered around the two after the woman started yelling for help, took Bastola under control and handed him over to the police.

As per some people who were present at the scene, Judge Bastola was accompanied by another district judge Prakash Dhungana, but Dhungana's role in the whole episode is not clear.

The incident came to light only on Monday after the Area Police Office (APO), Bardibas released Bastola without any investigation under the instruction from Superintendent of Police (SP) Janak Bhattarai. The SP also allegedly instructed the APO not to disclose the incident to media persons. SP Bhattarai could not be contacted for comment on Tuesday as calls made to his mobile number was diverted to the number belonging to DSP Shaligram Sharma deployed at the DPO. SP Bhattarai has been trying to evade the questions related to his decision to release the judges since Monday.

According to some people privy to the entire episode, SP Bhattarai himself had reached Birdibas from district headquarters Jaleshwar-based District Police Office (DPO) to secure Bastola's release.

The police let judge Bastola off the hook on Sunday night itself after he apologized to the victim.

Judicial Council to probe allegations

Meanwhile, following its decision to recall judges Purna Prasad Bastola and Prakash Dhungana to Kathmandu, the Supreme Court has stated that it will seriously probe into the allegations leveled against the two judges of Mahottari District Court. "National media have reported that the two judges harassed a woman. On its basis, I have asked the administration to recall them to Kathmandu," said Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha to Republica. CJ Shrestha said appropriate decision would be taken following an investigation into the matter. The Judicial Council has the mandate to recommend action against judges who breach code of conduct.

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