SC issues interim order to the govt to halt its decision to drop case against Assistant Professor Chalaune's assailants

Published On: June 22, 2023 05:30 PM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, June 22: The apex court issued the interim order in response to a writ petition filed by Assistant Professor Chaluane at Tribhuvan University against the government's move to withdraw the case against his assailants.

A single bench of Justice Manoj Kumar Sharma gave an interim order not to implement the decision to withdraw the case.

Advocate Radhika Khatiwada, who pleaded on behalf of Assistant Professor Chalaune, reported that the apex court had issued the interim order to stop the implementation of the government's controversial decision.

Additionally, the apex court has issued a show cause order concerning the government's decision to drop the case against the assailants. The government had initiated to withdraw the case against the assailants on May 30.

Chalaune had filed a writ petition at the SC on Wednesday, seeking justice after the government decided to withdraw the case against those who physically assaulted him.

On October 6, 2020, Assistant Professor Chalaune, who teaches in the Sociology Department at Tribhuvan University Central Campus, was subjected to a severe attack. Following the incident, a homicide case was filed against the then-president of Nepal Students Union (NSU) TU Chapter Committee, Hari Acharya, General Secretary Yogendra Rawal, and others at the Kathmandu District Court.

Recently, the government, based on the Ministry of Law's recommendation, made the decision to withdraw the cases against Chalaune's assailants. The cabinet's decision was submitted to the Kathmandu District Court through the District Government Attorney Office.

Assistant Professor Chalaune had started a hunger strike at TU premises a few days ago to exert pressure on the government to provide him justice.

The interim order has been viewed as a partial victory of Assistant Professor Chalaune, who has vowed to continue his fast until the government revokes its decision to withdraw the case against his assailants.

Assistant Professor Prem Chana was allegedly assaulted on October 6, 2020, by a group consisting of Hari Acharya, President of the Union University Committee, Secretary Yogendra Rawal, Rupesh Shah, Ravin Lama, Sahayuj Shrestha, Niraj Ranamgar, and Deepak Ojha.