In an unexpected turn of the events, the wife of disappeared journalist Prakash Thakuri was handed a letter on February 3, Tuesday, stating that the government withdrew Thakuri's murder case filed at the District Court Kanchanpur. Journalist Thakuri was disappeared about one-and-half -year ago from Kanchanpur, a far western district of Nepal. The victim's wife Janaki lodged a complaint at District Police Office (DPO) Kanchanpur claiming that cadres of CPN (Maoist) had abducted her husband from their rented apartment at Bhasi, Mahendranagar.
Media persons, victim's family and locals in the district have been shocked after hearing the decision that the government has withdrawn the murder case filed against seven suspects in Thakuri's killing.
The court handed a letter to the victim's family on Tuesday that states that the government withdrew the case as per the cabinet decision of Oct. 27.
However, the DPO Kanchanpur, that filed the case in the court, has not yet provided written information on the decision.
"My anticipation to get justice formally ended now," said tearful Janaki after receiving the letter. She claimed that Pomlal Sharma, Jagat Kshetry, Chandrakanta Bhatta and four other Maoist cadres were involved in her husband's disappearance.
Freedom Forum condemns the government's decision to withdraw the case and concludes that it was an injustice meted out by the state against journalists. It has clearly violated the principle of rule of law and right to justice of journalists.
For more information,
Freedom Forum
monitoring@freedomforum.org.np
01-4102030/ 4102022