KATHMANDU, June 29: Sumana Shrestha, a Member of Parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has formally written to the Office of the Attorney General, urging it to appeal the recent verdict in the Aftab Alam case.
In her letter sent on Sunday, Shrestha expressed concern over the decision issued by the Birgunj bench of the High Court Janakpur on May 27, which acquitted Aftab Alam and three others. The verdict, delivered by Judges Khusi Prasad Tharu and Arjun Maharjan, has drawn public backlash, especially after its full text was released last week.
Highlighting the case’s political implications, Shrestha noted that the former Attorney General had initially decided not to pursue charges against Alam due to his political stature. However, following an order from the Supreme Court, the case was filed more than a decade after the 2064 incident.
“This is a politically sensitive case involving grave criminal allegations,” Shrestha stated in the letter. “The recent acquittal by the High Court is both unexpected and deeply troubling. I urge your office to appeal this verdict at the Supreme Court and ensure proper legal representation on behalf of the victims.”
She added that the High Court’s decision has left the victims and general public distressed and outraged.
Alam had been accused of planting a bomb at his residence to influence the Constituent Assembly elections on April 9, 2008. The explosion had seriously injured Trilok Pratap Singh, also known as ‘Pintu’, and OC Akhtar. Allegations stated that both were later burned in a brick kiln.
Following the incident, family members of the victims — including Pintu’s father Shrinarayan Singh and OC’s mother Roksana Khatun — had filed complaints against Alam. While the Rautahat District Court had initially sentenced Alam and three others to life imprisonment, the High Court overturned that ruling, stating the explosion could not be conclusively proven.