http://www.ekantipur.com/2011/05/18/top-story/impunity-watch-cases-against-maoists-being-fast-withdrawn/334165.html

Impunity watch: Cases against Maoists being fast withdrawn

KATHMANDU, MAY 18 -

The Ministry of Home Affairs is working in full swing to withdraw registered criminal cases against Maoist cadres charged with various offences—including serious charges dating back to the period of insurgency.

A senior “uncooperative” bureaucrat has become the first casualty as he refused to sign off on the Maoist request to withdraw a murder case against Maoist lawmaker from Okhaldhunga, Bal Krishna Dhungel.

Former Home Secretary Govinda Kusum was transferred to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) last week after he refused to comply with the request of new Maoist Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a highly-placed government source said. After Kusum’s departure, the Home Ministry has begun putting together a list of cases, including the gravity of the offence involving Maoist cadres from various district administration offices across the country.

Dhungel has been implicated in a murder of one Ujjwal Prasad Shrestha in Okhaldunga district seven years ago during the insurgency. The Supreme Court (SC) had slapped a life sentence on Dhungel, in addition to seizure of his property last September.

The Maoist leadership had also mounted pressure on Kusum to withdraw the case against one of its cadres from Dolpa, who was convicted of illegal drug trafficking. Kusum was also asked to “do the needful” to free others booked on different charges.

Kusum reportedly told Minister Mahara that if the cases were of political nature the charges could be potentially dropped. However, he warned the minister against withdrawing criminal cases, arguing that it would set the wrong precedent, according to the source.

The official at the Home Ministry also reminded Mahara that the SC verdict could not be reversed either in Dhungel’s or in other criminal cases.

According to some senior Home Ministry officials, since taking charge of the Home Ministry, Mahara has been asking them to expedite compilation of a list of cases registered against Maoist cadres from courts across the country.

“The number of cases registered against the Maoists could surpass 300, according to our preliminary findings. Most of these cases were registered during the insurgency. We have been asked to find the status of the cases pending in various courts,” an official said.

Asked to comment on the government preparations on the possible withdrawal of the cases, Home Ministry Spokesperson Sudhir Shah denied any knowledge on the subject.

This is not the first time that the Maoist leadership has tried to get their party workers off the book. In October 2008, the Maoist-led government withdrew 349 criminal cases against its cadres, according to official records.

In February, the newly appointed Attorney General Yub Raj Sangraula went on record saying he would oppose any request from the government for the withdrawal of court cases.

The story so far

Senior ‘uncooperative’ bureaucrat first casualty

Former Home Secy transferred after he refused to comply with request of Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara’s request

In Oct 2008, the Maoist-led

government withdrew 349

criminal cases against its cadres



Posted on: 2011-05-18 08:48