SC seeks written statement from Sapkota

KATHMANDU, May 31: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday ordered Minister for Information and Communications Agni Sapkota to submit a written clarification as to why he shouldn´t be suspended from the cabinet in view of serious charges of human rights violation against him.



Responding to a writ petition filed by a group of civil society leaders and human rights activists on Friday, the single bench of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi sought written clarification from Sapkota on his involvement in the case. [break]



"The bench hereby orders Sapkota to furnish a written statement as to what exactly had happened in the case," read the SC order.



The bench has also summoned both the petitioners and the defendants to be present at the apex court on Sunday for further hearing. After holding a detailed hearing, the bench will decide whether to issue an interim order as sought by the writ petitioners.



Writ petitioners had jointly filed a PIL (Public Interest Litigation) case at the apex court, demanding the suspension of Sapkota from the cabinet.



The petitioners have accused ministers Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Sapkota of human rights violations. They have accused Sapkota of masterminding the abduction and subsequent killing of Arjun Lama of Kavrepalanchowk district about six years ago.



Lama´s wife Purnimaya had lodged a complaint at the District Police Office, Kavrepalanchowk. But when the police refused to register the case, Purnimaya moved the SC. The apex court ordered the District Police Office, Kavrepalanchowk to register the case and begin investigations. The police then registered a case and issued an arrest warrant against Sapkota but never took him into custody.



"The person who has been involved in such a heinous crime should not be appointed as a minister in a democratic system. Sapkota´s appointment as a minister is a gross violation of human rights and democratic norms," reads the petition, adding, the SC should issue an interim order barring Sapkota from performing his duties in capacity of a minister.



The petitioners have made Home Minister Mahara defendant in their litigation, saying that the he had publicly announced he would withdraw cases filed against Sapkota.



The petitioners include Sushil Pyakurel, Subodh Pyakurel, Kanak Mani Dixit and Charan Prasai, among others.

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