Toran's promotion challenged in SC

KATHMANDU, Dec 27: Three Maoist leaders moved the Supreme Court on Sunday questioning the constitutionality and legality of the government decision to promote Major General Toran Jung Bahadur Singh, who was in command of the Bhairabnath Battalion where the leaders, among others, were detained during the conflict time. [break]

 

The petitioners -- Maoist central leader Krishna KC, student leader Himal Sharma and woman leader Bina Magar -- have sought the court to nullify Singh´s promotion. The petitioners said they were also tortured when they were detained in the battalion in 2003.



"The promotion of an officer involved in human rights violations has encouraged impunity and hurt rule of law," they said in the petition.



The petitioners have also questioned the legality of the probe by a secretary-level committee headed by Secretary Ram Chandra Man Singh into Singh´s case. The cabinet promoted Singh last Thursday on the basis of a report of the committee. The committee was mandated to suggest to the government whether the human rights violation allegations against Singh were valid. The committee, however, did not make any conclusions on the charges.



The court said it will conduct an initial hearing on the petition on Tuesday.



Toran gets insignia



Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff Chhatra Man Singh Gurung handed over insignia of the post of Lt General to Toran Jung Bahadur Singh amidst a function at the Army Headquarters on Sunday, a press release issued by the Directorate of Public Relations of Nepal Army said.

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