KATHMANDU, May 25: The government on Sunday filed a case at the Kathmandu District Court seeking life sentences against eight individuals including medical practitioner Durga Prasai, who have been accused of being involved in the violent Tinkune protest in Kathmandu on March 28 that claimed two lives.
According to Gokul Bahadur Niraula, District Attorney at the Kathmandu-based District Government Attorney's Office (DGAO), the accused face murder charge in the Tinkune incident. Sabin Maharjan, 29, a resident of Kirtipur-4 died after being shot by police while a TV journalist Suresh Rajak was killed after the protesters set ablaze the house he was filming from.
Based on police investigations, the DGAO accuses 50 individuals of committing crimes against the state, 11 of engaging in criminal conspiracy, and eight of attempted murder. Along with Prasai, defendants Harihar Chaulagain, Saroj Gautam, Satish Neupane, Gokarna Shahi, Danda Pani Regmi, Santosh Silwal and Hemraj Tharu have been charged with attempted murder.
Police launch probe against Durga Prasai for attempted murder d...
During the Tinkune protests, police used tear gas before firing rubber bullets and opening fire into the air. After protests turned violent resulting in arson, vandalism, and looting during clashes between pro-monarchy protesters and security forces, the administration even imposed a curfew in the Tinkune area.
The police investigated 61 individuals for criminal offences and organised crime, and 29 for sedition. Of them, 34 under criminal offence and three under sedition charges have been released on the condition they appear when summoned for inquiry.
Of the charge sheet filed against 61 individuals, four are minors. According to the DGAO, the charge sheet will be filed against these minors in the Juvenile Court, Bhaktapur.
Assistant District Attorney Ram Hari Kafle confirmed that prosecutors have charged a total of 61 individuals at the Kathmandu District Court. The DGAO also recommended legal action against Rastriya Prajatantra Party leaders Dhawal Shamsher Rana and Rabindra Mishra.
The DGAO’s charge sheet also included the compensation worth Rs 7.789 million for vandalism and goods looted from Bhatbhateni Supermarket and Departmental Store. Min Bahadur Gurung, proprietor of the store, accused 11 defendants in the case.
Meanwhile, The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is reported to have completed a probe into the violent pro-monarchy riots in Tinkune on March 28. The commission took around two months and conducted the investigation with support from experts specialising in forensic and other evidence.
According to the NHRC study, as many as 20 people sustained bullet injuries during the protests. As per a report of Nepal Police, they fired 58 rounds of bullet, 746 tear gas shells, two bullets from pistol and 198 blank rounds in an attempt to control the situation that turned violent.
