KATHMANDU, MARCH 4

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned against carrying out, making statement and spreading propaganda in favour of or against in the Paul Shah case.

The Commission said that such activities in course of the ongoing investigation would damage the confidentiality and dignity of both the accused and the victim sides, besides influencing the investigation process as well.

'Investigation into a crime of serious nature should be carried out in a confidential, fair, independent and fear-free manner in accordance with the principles of criminal justice,' reads a press release issued today by NHRC deputy spokesperson Loknath Bastola.

The press release further cautions against disseminating news in favour of or against, recording videos without the permission of the people concerned and making public the recorded videos so as to influence the investigation process into a criminal offence of serious nature. It has urged one and all to keep in mind the fact that evidences might be destroyed due to over-publicity.

NHRC said it has been carrying out monitoring and collecting information to that connection. It said such activities have affected the right to confidentiality mentioned in Article 28 and the right to justice referred to in Article 30 of the Constitution of Nepal, Clause 298 of the Criminal Penal Code, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, 1948 and the right to confidentiality provided in Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Paul Shah case is related to actor Paul Shah who is facing a rape charge. Shah has been accused of raping a 17-year-old girl. He turned himself in to police on Sunday.