Kathmandu, July 6

Minister of Home Affairs Ram Bahadur Thapa has stressed the need for investigators (police) and prosecutors (government attorneys) to stand united to punish the guilty and protect the innocent.

Addressing an inaugural of a two-day conference of investigators and prosecutors of Province 3 organised here today, Minister Thapa said, “Evidence-based and scientific criminal investigation is a key to robust and enhanced judicial system, and such investigation is possible only by maintaining cordial relations between the investigators and prosecutors,” he suggested.

Inspector General of Police Sarbandra Khanal said the conference would be helpful in effective implementation of Muluki Criminal Code Act, which will come into force from September 7.

“We are committed to ensuring errorless policing and investigation so that criminals are not let off the hook,” he said.

The conference is expected to develop a common concept between the police and government attorneys on crime investigation and prosecution.

A common misunderstanding between police and government attorneys is that the former often blame the latter for weakening the charge filed in the court so as to let the suspects off the hook.

Government attorneys also accused police of failing to conduct effective and evidence-based investigation before asking the former to file a case at the court.

Such conflict and weakness on the part of both the investigators and prosecutors often lead the court either to hand down a lenient punishment or order release of the guilty.