Nepal’s apex court summons PM, AG and top cop for obstructing war-crime investigation

KATHMANDU: Nepals apex court summoned Prime Minister, Attorney General and Nepal police chief to appear in the court within seven days in person for misusing their authorities.

The apex court issued summons in response to a contempt case filed against the PM, his legal advisor and police chief for obstructing the interrogation of Maoist cadres accused of murdering Dailekh based journalist Dekendra Thapa.

The summons were issued in response to the case filed by the Democratic Lawyers Association. Attorney General Mukti Pradhana had issued written orders to Dailekh attorney office and administration office for not interrogating the Dekendra Thapa murder accused five Maoist cadres after receiving such orders from Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai.

The top cop Kuber Rana had also issued strict orders to his officers in Dailekh for not interrogating the accused and pressing any charges in the court.

The court has not given the privilege of appointing their representatives to defend the charges in the court and thus made it mandatory the trio to attend the summons in person.

If the apex court is not satisfied with their arguments, then it can slap them a fine unto Rs 10,000, or one year jail or both sentences.

In the contempt of court case, the petitioners have sought maximum penalty for the accused for misusing their authorities to save criminals.