Newspapers published in Kathmandu on Friday have published reports related to a variety of social, political economic issues. Chief Justice Cholendra Rana’s decision to relieve Justice Deepak Raj Joshee of his SC duties has received considerable attention along with the Resham Chaudhary taking oath as an MP. Here’s a summary of important, ignored and interesting reports that made it to the front pages on Friday:
Important
Opposition condemns Chaudhari’s oath-0taking
Republica, Annapurna Post and Naya Patrika report that opposition parties have condemned the government’s decision to allow Tikapur murder accused MP Resham Chaudhary to take his oath of office. Chaudhary is accused of masterminding the Tikapur protest which led to the death of seven policemen and a toddler in 2015. NC leaders didn’t attend the oath ceremony mentioning that lawmakers accused of crime amounting to moral turpitude and serving time in jail cannot take an oath of office and secrecy. Rastriya Prajatantra Party also issued a statement showing dissatisfaction. Victims of the riot were also not pleased that a ‘criminal’ was made a lawmaker and have promised to take this to an international court. Rashtriya Janata Party, however, has congratulated Chaudhary after he was sworn in.
Panel to probe irregularities formed
The Himalayan Times, Kathmandu Post and Annapurna Post report that the government has formed a high-level probe committee to investigate into alleged irregularities in the wide-body aircraft purchase deal.
The three-member committee comprises former Deputy Attorney General Narendra Prasad Pathak and Chartered Accountant Madan Sharma and has been given 45 days to report to the government. The government’s decision to form the committee comes a day after a subcommittee of the Public Accounts Committee came up with a report concluding that there had been corruption amounting to Rs 4.34 billion during the aircraft’s procurement.
CJ relieves Joshee of all duties
Republica, The Himalayan Times, The Kathmandu Post, Naya Patrika and Kantipur report that Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana has stripped controversial Justice Deepak Raj Joshee of his responsibilities in the Supreme Court. Rana on Thursday had removed Joshee as the member of the constitutional bench and as the chairperson of the Reconciliation council of the apex court.
Ignored
Gold Smuggling report kept under wraps
Kantipur reports that the government is trying the hide the gold smuggling report prepared by an investigation committee. The two-column story says that the office of the Prime Minister is telling reporters to seek information at the Home Ministry and the Home Ministry is telling them to go to the Office of the Prime Minister.
It has nearly been a year since the gold smuggling case emerged and there have been no leads yet. Those who were arrested have also been released. The committee had submitted a report to PM Oli in July. However, the office of the Prime Minister refuses to make the report public.
Former AIGP to guilty in corruption case
Kantipur reports that a special court has convicted former AIGP Rishav Dev Bhattarai of corruption. He has been convicted of illegally amassing wealth of Rs 12 million and been sentenced to nine months in prison. He has also been asked to pay a claim amount of Rs 7.9 million.
Interesting
Police orders 8 officials arrested
Naya Patrika reports that the police headquarters has accused eight police officers of being careless while looking into the case of 13-year-old Nirmala Panta who was raped and murdered in Kanchanpur 5 months ago.
The eight officers will face a trial for their carelessness which includes tampering with evidence and torturing the innocent. This decision comes after a report filed by AIG Dhiru Basnyat and his team recommended action against the policemen ASP Dilli Raj Bista, Inspector Jagdish Bhattrai, Gyan Bhadur Sethi, DSP Angur GC, Inspector Ekendra Khadka, sub-inspectors Ram Singh Dhami, Har Singh Dhami and Chandnani Saud have been accused of obstructing public justice.
4 helicopters for VVIPs
Karobar reports that Nepal Army thinking about buying four more helicopters. The army has prepared a draft proposal for the same. The proposal has already been sent to the Defence Ministry. The government has already started the process to buy one helicopter for the president’s use. The three helicopters the army is thinking of buying will cost Rs 1.5 billion each.
