Nepal’s former Prime Minister and Maoist chief Prachanda was on Thursday summoned by the Supreme Court and asked to furnish a written reply in a defamation case within three days.
Advocate Dinesh Tripathi had filed the defamation case against UCPN-Maoist chief Prachanda over his alleged derogatory remarks against the court on the murder of a sixteen year old school boy some eight years ago.
The single bench comprising Justice Gyanendra Bahadur Karki issued the order to Prachanda to be present in the court within three days to furnish reply in the defamation case. Tripathi has sought a fine of Rs 10,000 and one year imprisonment to the maximum for Prachanda.
Krishna Prasad Adhikari was murdered by Maoist cadres in Chitawan district of central Nepal in 2004 and his parents Nanda Prasad Adhikari and Ganga Maya have been on fast-unto-death here for more than a month demanding action against the culprits. The government has recently initiated investigation into the matter.
However, Maoist chief Prachanda has warned to revolt, derail the peace process if action was taken against his party’s cadres in the murder case.
According to advocate Tripathi, Prachanda had made derogatory remarks against the apex court while commenting in the matter.
The court has taken the matter very seriously that’s why only three days have been given to him to be present before the court, Tripathi told PTI.
Prachanda’s remark does not only obstruct the court proceedings but it is also an insult to the court, Tripathi said in his petition.
Meanwhile, various rights bodies today organised a protest here to show solidarity with Adhikari couple. “If the Adhikari couple die during the hunger strike, we will hold chairman of the election government and top leaders of major political parties responsible,” an activist said.
Asian Human Rights Commission and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have also expressed concern over the deteriorating health condition of Nanda Prasad and his wife, who are demanding punishment for those who killed their youngest son.