KATHMANDU, Sept 6: Bibeksheel Nepali Dal on Sunday expressed concern over the brutal killing of Niranjan Ram in Garuda Municipality-8 in Rautahat and the death of another youth Bijay Mahara in police custody in the course of investigation into the same incident.
Issuing a press release, the party has demanded a fair probe into the incident and stringent action against those involved in the incident so that Nepal Police could retain the people’s faith in it.
"Based on his relatives' statements, Bijaya Mahara breathed his last in police custody due to torture. If it is true, it is against the principle of the rule of law. It is also a case of grave human rights violation," the party said, expressing solidarity with Rautahat folks who are agitated and seeking justice.
Authoritarian, unilateral decisions made us part ways
"We urge the Ministry of Home Affairs, National Human Rights Commission and the other stakeholders concerned to launch a fair probe into the aforementioned two incidents and bring the perpetrators to book," the party said.
On August 27, Bijaya Mahara, 19, of Garuda Municipality, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at the Birgunj-based National Medical College (NMC).
Police had held seven persons including Bijaya Mahara on August 14 on the charge of murdering Niranjan Ram, 20. Police claim that they had killed Ram, who hails from Jingadiya-8, by slitting his throat. Police have been investigating the case after getting their custody extended from the court. Police had earlier made all accused public and also claimed that they had confessed to the crime.
Panilal Mahara, the father of the deceased, accused the police of torturing his son to death though both of his kidneys had stopped functioning. He also demanded a judicial review and strong action against the culprits.
Deputy Superintendent of Police at the Area Police Office, Garuda, Gyan Kumar Mahato also confirmed Bijaya’s death but dismissed any ill-treatment by police.
