After he was found involved in the murder of CPN-UML cadre Chhavilal Karki in 8 July 2010, Ghimire was sentenced to jail by Okhaldhunga District Court September the same year. Of the 15 convicted in the murder, only 6 have been arrested so far.[break]
Ghimire approached Morang district administration in person on 5 Dec with a recommendation letter and migration letter but fled the scene quickly after submitting forms.
Though Ghimire has been using his political influence to get the MRP, the administration has not forwarded his application. “The verified letters sent by Okhaldhunga administration are safe with us,” said Surendra Paudel, Assistant Chief District Officer of Morang. He added that Ghimire would have got the MRP had the administration not searched his background.
Paudel confirmed that Ghimire came to submit the applications on December 5 himself. “It is true that he was present in person, but he had already left by the time we ascertained his background and informed the police,” he said.
While Paudel stated that Ghimire´s application was rejected after his identity was revealed, Okhaldhunga administration said the recommendation was forwarded it wasn´t unaware about Ghimire´s conviction.
Meanwhile, Okhaldhunga CDO Sagarmani Parajuli has defended his office claiming that it did not provide Ghimire with recommendation for MRP. “We have not recommended for the passport,” he said. According to sources, a few Maoist cadres had been pressuring the office to issue the recommendation letter.
Morang police has said that they would have arrested Ghimire had they been informed about his presence in time.
“Had they informed us sooner, we could have grabbed him,” said Morang SP Pradhyumna Karki. “We are trying to track him down.” Ghimire is said to own a house in Itahari.
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