NHRC forms team to probe rape allegation

Kathmandu, October 4

The National Human Rights Commission has formed an investigation team to probe rape allegation levelled at Krishna Bahadur Mahara, who has resigned as the House of Representatives speaker.

The three-member team is led by commission’s director Yagya Adhikari and comprises Manju Khatiwada and Lok Nath Bastola, both NHRC deputy directors, as members. The team was put together five days after Roshani Shahi, a nurse at the Parliament Secretariat, was allegedly raped by Mahara.

The team has been asked to submit a report after thoroughly investigating the case.

It will go through media reports, meet the victim personally if she allows and talk to Mahara.

The commission has already written to Nepal Police and sought information on investigation conducted so far and police findings, according to NHRC Director Tikaram Pokharel.

“The information provided by police will help us chart our course,” said NHRC member Prakash Osti.

“We have also asked police to keep evidences collected from the crime scene safe and conduct a fair investigation,” said Osti, adding, “The probe team will update us every day about their findings.”

As of now, the NHRC is going through reports on rape scandal published or broadcast by media. The news about alleged rape first appeared in hamrakura.com. Its editor Ajaya Babu Shiwakoti has since been facing threats.

“We have enquired the police about safety of Shiwakoti,” said Osti.