Kathmandu, February 4

The Supreme Court today issued an order directing the government to formulate necessary laws for the protection of rape victims and children born to them.

Responding to a writ petition filed by Women’s Rehabilitation Centre, a full bench of the apex court ordered the government to formulate necessary laws to protect rape victims and children born to them.

The bench was headed by Chief Justice Kalyan Shrestha.

A press statement issued here today by WOREC said that it had filed writ petition on September 16, 2013, demanding formulation of necessary laws for the protection of rape victims and their children.

It said Nepal’s legal system of lacks laws to protect victims of rape, especially adolescent girls.

“The government does not provide medical support, shelter or rehabilitation to rape victims,” it said, adding, “So, we had been demanding a separate law to rehabilitate and provide necessary support to rape victims.” WOREC has long been lobbying and advocating for the protection and promotion of women’s rights.

According to WOREC, 106 women were raped and six gang-raped in the last six months.

As the government has set up no mechanism to protect them, many rape victims are suffering from various problems and are vulnerable to other forms of violence, it said.

Judges transferred

KATHMANDU: A meeting of the Judicial Council on Thursday decided to transfer three chief judges and 28 judges of appellate courts.

The three chief judges who were transferred are Dipak Kumar Karki, Kedar Prasad Chalise and Anand Mohan Bhattarai.

Karki was transferred from Appellate Court, Dipayal to Appellate Court Baglung and Chalise was transferred from Appellate Court Baglung to Appellate Court, Biratnagar.

Similarly, Bhattarai was transferred from Appellate Court, Biratnagar to Appellate Court, Patan.