KATHMANDU: Trial hearing in the case of suspended lawmaker of Nepali Congress, Mohammad Aftab Alam, has been completed today at Rautahat District Court. The decision is now awaited as to whether he will remain in custody or be released while the investigation continues.

Alam has been booked for murder, attempted murder and causing explosion in connection with the Rajpur blast. Police had arrested lawmaker Alam on the charge of burning to death Trilok Pratap Singh, Oshi Akhtar and other persons injured in the blast on April 9, 2008.

A charge-sheet had been filed against him on November 4 for the blast and subsequent murders of the injured and witnesses. NC leader Alam, who was arrested on October 13, is accused of burning alive the victims injured in the bomb explosion on the eve of the first Constituent Assembly elections.

The explosion had occurred while Alam was getting people to make bombs in his house with the intention of seizing election booths. Eight persons, including Akhtar and Singh of Yamunamai Rural Municipality, were seriously injured in the blast.

Police had presented an 800-page investigation report, along with its recommendation, seeking imprisonment until death or life imprisonment along with confiscation of his property for Alam.

Alam, who was heading to attend a feast at his relative’s home, was held from Idris Gate of Rajpur Municipality. A police team led by DSP Nabin Karki from Rautahat District Police Office arrested Alam, also a former minister.

According to Rautahat DPO, MP Alam is accused of having packed the injured persons in sacks, killing them and dumping their bodies in a brick kiln belonging to his relative.

Alam was elected to the federal parliament from Rautahat Constituency-2 in the 2017 elections.