KATHMANDU, Jan 13: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday stopped the government from withdrawing murder case involving Maoist cadre Gagan Dev Raya who is a facing murder charge.
Raya’s case is one of 349 criminal cases withdrawn by the Maoist-led government in last November.
Maoist cadre arrested for attacking NC member with khukuri
In a decision criticized by national and international human rights community, the Maoist-led government had decided to withdraw the criminal cases terming them political. Many criminals convicted of rape, murder and robbery were released following the decision.
“There should be sufficient basis and reason while withdrawing the criminal cases,” Justice Min Bahadur Rayamajhee and Kalyan Shrestha said while denying the government to release Raya.
Raya was one of the accused in the murder of Rautahat-based journalist Shambhu Kattel during the Maoist insurgency. The accused is currently in the Gaur jail on the murder charge.
Tuesday’s court order followed a SC stay order on early this month. On Jan 1, the court had ordered the government not to implement the decision withdrawing the criminal cases for the time being.
