Early on Tuesday, the police headquarters, unable to withstand pressure created by the deteriorating health conditions of Adhikari"s father and mother, who have been on a fast-unto-death for over three weeks now, had ordered the Chitwan police to reopen the files of Adhikari"s murder. Adhikari, who was just 18 by then, was killed in Ratnanagar of Chitwan district on June 6, 2004. Adhikari"s family claims he was killed by the Maoist cadres on the charge of spying. [break]
After receiving the order from the headquarters, the Chitwan police have consulted the District Attorney"s Office (DAO) twice about how to reopen the Adhikari murder case -- something which the UCPN (Maoist) argues would be against the letter and spirit of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)-2006.
Immediately after receiving the headquarters" order, the Chitwan police had sent a letter to the DAO to enquire about the legal aspects of reopening the Adhikari murder case, which has been dealt with as a pending case by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG). Even though they received a reply in writing from the DAO, the Chitwan police on Thursday sent another letter asking the former to shed more light on the matter.
“We wrote another letter as we did not receive clear advice from the DAO,” said Chitwan police Chief SP Pradhumna Karki, without divulging the details of the DAO"s letter. Police sources, however, said the Chitwan police were compelled to write another letter as the DAO, in its response, did not clearly state whether those allegedly involved in Adhikari"s murder can be arrested.
However, the DAO rubbished the police"/s claim, saying that they clearly advised the latter to proceed with the investigation. “Since National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has already asked the government to reopen the Adhikari murder case, we clearly advised the Chitwan police to go ahead,” said Ek Narayan Lamsal, District Attorney of Chitwan.
In Kathmandu, despite doctors" advice, Adhikari"s father Nanda Prasad and mother Ganga Maya have been continuing their fast-unto-death. Adhikari was waiting for his SLC exams results when he was shot dead. Although his brother filed a case against some Maoist cadres allegedly involved in the case, no one has been prosecuted so far.
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