Chitwan police finally reopens Adhikari murder case

CHITWAN, Aug 25: The District Police Office (DPO) of Chitwan has finally reopened investigation into the murder of Krishna Adhikari, who was allegedly killed by the then Maoist rebels in 2004 on the charge of spying on their activities.



Even though the Nepal Police headquarters on August 13 had ordered the DPO to resume the investigation into the murder, the Chitwan police was reluctant to reopen the investigation, citing legal hurdles.



But in a sudden turn of event, a team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Sanjay Rauth at the DPO on Saturday reached the murder spot at Ratnanagar of Chitwan, and started interrogating eyewitnesses regarding the murder. [break]



“We resumed our investigation from Saturday. As of now, our team has already interrogated over 15 local residents,” informed Pradhyuman Karki, Superintendent of Police at the DPO. The investigation team was formed on last Tuesday.



Shortly after the murder, Adhikari´s father, Nanda Prasad had registered a complaint to the police, demanding an investigation. As the complaint went unheard, Adhikari´s brother Nur Prasad registered another complaint, categorically naming the alleged murders and providing their details on 12 June, 2006.



However, the case was closed after the Attorney General´s Office on December 18, 2012 wrote to the Chitwan police not to proceed with the investigation on the case, stating a Truth and Reconciliation Commission would be constituted to look after the cases pertaining to human rights violation during the Maoist insurgency.

After Adhikari´s parents, Nanda Prasad and Ganga Maya started a fast-unto-death demanding justice in the case a few weeks ago, the NHRC had directed the government to start investigation into the case.



Nanda Prasad and Ganga Maya are on the hunger strike at the emergency ward of Bir Hospital in the capital, and the doctors are worried about their failing health condition. Nur Prasad said that the police should book the guilty without further delay.

SP Karki maintained that the DPO may arrest the alleged murderers enlisted on the complaint after the field interrogation gets completed.

“As the investigation is underway, anyone suspected of the murder can be nabbed,” he added.

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