Absconding prisoner held in City

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU:The Central Investigation Bureau of the Nepal Police today nabbed a former soldier, who had managed to sanction his release from jail by submitting forged military seals and documents from Sundhara.

On August 27, Ganga Hari Neupane (29) of Ranibas-2, Sindhuli, had managed to outsmart the jailer at the Central Jail by producing a forged ‘release letter’ from the Nepali Army’s Military Special Court.

He had been absconding since and was picked up from the Sundhara-based Chitwan Guest House.

The Summary General Military Court of the army had convicted Neupane, an erstwhile corporal, and sentenced him to three years in jail in accordance with the Military Act on May 24 for breaching military discipline and acting against professional conduct.

The May 24 ‘release letter’ addressed to the Central Jail has a fake seal of Military Special Court and signature of Major General Nirendra Prasad Aryal. It has requested the jail administration to ‘release Neupane with immediate effect as the verdict of Summary General Military Court was found erroneous’.

“The falsified letter looked like authentic document and made the jail administration to release the ex-army man,” a police investigator said.

An excerpt of the letter reads, “The Appellate Special Committee, after investigating into the plaintiff’s appeal against the verdict of Military Summary General Court, has reached the conclusion that the August 27 decision to sentence him is erroneous. Therefore, the jail administration is requested to release the plaintiff and inform thereof to this court as soon as possible.”

CIB officials said a thorough investigation was launched to bust the forgery racket, who assisted the soldier to falsify the military seals and documents.

Neupane will face charges under the ‘Forgery of Government Seals and Signatures’ Chapter of the Civic Code.