KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 6

"The sense of hopelessness is very dangerous for democracy," said senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi who pleaded on behalf of the victims.

Tripathi said the victims' families were very sceptical about getting justice for their sons.

While on the one hand, influential people such as Janardhan Sharma openly spoke against the victims in the federal Parliament, on the other, marginalised and poor families of the victims lacked resources to fight the case.

"Janardhan Sharma left no stone unturned to influence the justice process. However, the truth has prevailed and justice has been served to the victims despite all odds."

He said the case was challenging as it included involvement of people in power as defenders against the marginalised communities.

"It was a very difficult for victims to fight their case for more than three years. Despite all odds they finally got justice," he said, adding, "This is also a landmark in the history of Nepal's criminal law as two dozen people have been sentenced."

He further said, "Verdicts like this boosts the credibility of the justice system in Nepal. Since the victims were worried about the delay in adjudication of the case, I understand that the delay happened due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the process had to be completed for a large number of defendants. However, the justice system has upheld public trust in the system by giving such a historical ruling."

Yesterday, Rukum West District Court passed a groundbreaking verdict in the Dalit massacre case, imposing life imprisonment on 24 defendants. Six people, including a Dalit youth Navaraj BK, 21, were murdered three-and-a-half years ago in Chaurjahari Municipality of Rukum West when BK went to marry a girl of the so-called upper caste whom he was in love with.

"A minor and 23 other individuals have been sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the minor will be spending his sentence in juvenile custody and the sentence could be reduced," said Tripathi.

A single bench of Rukum West District Court Judge Khadak Bahadur KC passed the judgement last evening. The full text of the verdict will be made public after a week, according to the court.

Spokesperson for Rukum West District Court Govind Prasad Koirala told THT that the court held then ward chairperson Dambar Bahadur Malla and parents of the girl, who was in love with Navaraj BK. They have also been sentenced to life imprisonment for brutally murdering, attempting to kill the injured, abduction, hostage taking and caste discrimination.

However, the girl (identified as the girlfriend of murdered Navaraj) and her mother were sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 each was slapped.

According to Koirala, the girl's mother and brother, who were defendants in the murder case, were found guilty of caste discrimination and sentenced to two years imprisonment.

Koirala said eight people named defendants in the case were acquitted by Rukum West District Court.

The acquitted people include Tularam Gharti, Dilli Gharti, Lokendra Gharti, Saurav Pun, Bhim Bahadur Budha, Indra Bahadur Malla, Tul Bahadur Malla and Dipendra Chand.

The final hearing on the case began on Sunday and concluded yesterday. Fifteen lawyers, including the district attorney, pleaded on behalf of the victims while six lawyers pleaded on behalf of the defendants.

The incident known as Rukum massacre was the worst case of violence related to caste discrimination in modern Nepal. Six youths were chased and killed in Soti village of Chaurjahari Municipality in Rukum (West) after 21-year-old Navaraj BK, a Dalit member went along with his friends to his girlfriend's house on 23 May 2020 to take her home as his bride.

Navaraj BK, and Sanju BK of Bheri Municipality-4, Lokendra Sunar and Govinda Shahi of Bheri Municipality 11, Ganesh Budha of Kushe Rural Municipality and Tika Ram Nepali of Chaurjahari Municipality-1, Rukum West, were murdered in the attack. The bodies of all six were recovered from the Bheri river.

According to Koirala, former ward chairperson Dambar Bahadur Malla, Dilli Bahadur Thakuri, Prem Bahadur Thakuri, Santosh Malla, Mohan Pun Magar, Man Bahadur Malla, Top Bahadur Malla, Sabin Pun aka Sarvajeet, Tilak Chand, Irda Bahadur Thakuri, Lipendra Kumar Malla, Harka Bahadur Malla, Binod Malla, Netra Bahadur Malla, Resham Bahadur Malla, Dhanraj Rana, Navin Kumar Gharti Magar, Biraj Pun Magar, Bhim Bahadur Pun, Ramit Pun Magar, Bishnu Malla and three others, including the father of the so-called lover of Navaraj BK, and her two brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Verdict elates victim families

Families of the victims of Rukum carnage celebrated the verdict passed by Rukum District Court today by taking out a victory rally.

Family members, relatives and supporters of youths who were killed in the massacre three-and-a-half years ago in Rukum have thanked the court.

Private lawyer appointed at RDC Manisha Rokaye said that a large number of people including Navaraj BK's father today came to the court carrying banners and chanting slogans.

"The relatives and families of the victims played local musical instruments outside the court in celebration of the court decision," she said.

The slogan on the banner read: "Son died, Justice didn't, It's over now, Thanks to the court."

In a video shared by Dalit activist Khagendra Sunar on Facebook, Navaraj's parents seemed delighted and expressed their happiness.

Navaraj's mother said, "I was not hopeful of getting justice, however, justice has prevailed. Finally, my son can rest in peace."

Meanwhile, Navaraj's father Munlal Nepali talking to THT said his son died, but the verdict in his case had given birth to millions of Navaraj.

"The court has finally done justice to my son. We are very happy with the decision," he said.

Similarly, Khagendra Sunar said that Rukum has inked its name in history by providing justice to helpless people.

"Rukum which was infamous due to the Dalit carnage, will now be taken as an example in the world," he said.