Chitwan, April 4 Statements of six witnesses in Krishna Prasad Adhikari’s murder case will be recorded at the district court on April 17 in Chitwan. Adhikari, a Gorkha resident, was murdered by then Maoist insurgents at Bakulahar Chowk in Ratnanagar-1, Chitwan, on June 5, 2004. He was in the district to visit his grandfather when the incident occurred. According to court registrar Bidharaj Poudel, the witnesses’ statement would be recorded the next day if any witness remains absent on the date. “A bench of judges led by Judge Basudev Poudel will hear the case and date for the hearing will be fixed once the statements are recorded,” said Poudel, adding, “The judge could demand for more evidence if he deems necessary, otherwise, he will pass the verdict on the hearing day itself.” Adhikari’s elder brother Nur Prasad had filed an FIR against 13 persons, alleging their involvement in the murder. The case is now subjudice. While one of the accused, Rudra Prasad Acharya, is abroad, another accused Chhabilal Poudel is still at large. The remaining accused will be summoned to record their statements, said court registrar Poudel. Nepal Bar Association central office has sent a list of law professionals, who will participate in the argument, to the Appellate Court of Hetauda. “The central office has sent details of the law professionals who are participating in the hearing for and against the case to the appellate court and a copy to me as well,” said Chitwan Bar district chairperson Chudamani Sapkota. Adhikari’s father Nanda Prasad had died while he was staging a hunger strike seeking action against the persons responsible for his son’s murder. Today, human rights activists met with legal professionals and journalists of the district, and demanded that the truth behind the murder be established. At the meeting today, rights activist Subod Pyakurel urged the witnesses to tell the truth while recording their affidavits at the court. Another rights activist Charan Prasai, on his part, spoke against politicising the serious crime of murder. “We’ve heard of the defendants threatening or intimidating the witnesses, however, I don’t expect anything like that this time around,” he said.