KATHMANDU, MAY 4
National Human Rights Commission member Mihir Thakur has accused the newly appointed Inspector General of Police Dhiraj Pratap Singh of serious human rights violation, urging the government to revoke its decision to appoint him as IGP.
Talking to mediapersons at the commission's office today, Thakur alleged that Singh was involved in the disappearance of four Maoists during the 10-year armed conflict at Kawaswoti of Nawalparasi.
NHRC, in its 15 July 2011 report indicted Singh of being involved in abducting and killing four Maoist cadres during the insurgency.
The incident occurred on 5 January 1999 in Kawasoti when Singh was a police inspector.
According to the NHRC report, Kawaswoti Police Unit led by Singh abducted and later made to disappear four Maoist rebels Janaki Ranbhat, Dharma Raj Parajuli, Tika Ranabhat, and Ram Chandra Mishra.
On 28 October 2004, the family of the deceased requested the NHRC to investigate the case.
More than six years later, the NHRC submitted its report to the government recommending action against Singh and seeking compensation for victims' kin. It asked Nepal Police's Human Right Cell to probe the case and act against erring cops.
"Any police officer accused of serious human rights violation must not hold the top post. I urge the government to revoke its decision and respect human rights," Mihir said.
Meanwhile, hearing on the writ petition filed in the Supreme Court against the appointment of Singh as IGP could not be completed today due to the constrain of time and Justice Sushmalata Mathema put the case for continuation tomorrow.
The appointment of Dhiraj Pratap Singh as the new IGP by the Cabinet a few days ago was challenged by Additional Inspector General Bishwaraj Pokharel, claiming that Singh is much junior to him and he (Pokharel) is the most suitable candidate for the post.
Singh was the junior-most of the four AIGs in line to head the police force of nearly 80,000 police personnel.
Singh had served as AIG only for about a month, whereas Pokharel had been at the post for more than 16 months.
Pokharel has asked the SC to halt the appointment process and nominate him as an acting IGP until the final verdict in the case.
Advocates Meghraj Pokharel, Satish Krishna Kharel, Harihar Dahal, and Mahadev Yadav are arguing for Pokharel, whereas Singh is being represented by Attorney General Kham Bahadur Khati and advocates Sushil Pant, Bhimarjun Acharya, and Tikaram Bhattarai.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 05, 2022, of The Himalayan Times
