Panel says arrested went missing from custody

Kathmandu, February 5:

A panel headed by Appellate Court judge Lokendra Mallik, which has been investigating the whereabouts of some people who “went missing from police custody”, today accused police of deliberately destroying proof concerning the arrest of the missing.

“During our inquiry they (police officials) said they did not arrest them and they had disposed the documents of arrest of people at that time,” Govinda Bandi, a member of the panel, told reporters, citing police officials. “But we gathered evidence that proves they arrested them and detained them for a long time. Their status is unknown,” Bandi added.

The panel set up by the Supreme Court has been investigating the whereabouts of Rajendra Dhakal, Bipin Bhandari and Dil Bahadur Rai, who were arrested by police on the charge of being the Maoists.

While Dhakal was held nine years ago, Bhandari and Rai were arrested eight years ago. As per the order of the SC, the panel has been investigating the whereabouts of 49 more missing persons. “They told us they disposed of documents related to missing persons. Police officials claimed they have no record about their arrests,” Bandi said.

Bandhi said they (panel members) visited several police posts, including the police headquarters, district administration offices and district police offices in Kathmandu, Tahanun, Kashki and Gorkha.

“We have collected evidence that proves that they were arrested. Witnesses have also told us about their arrests, but police officials do not want to provide any document about their arrests.”

He accused the government of not providing support to the panel.