Kathmandu, September 27
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has objected to the conduct of police after its team was stopped from meeting former Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher Rana at the Criminal Investigation Office in Teku.
NHRC spokesperson Dr Tikaram Pokharel said in a statement that the commission’s team had gone to the office to monitor Rana’s situation but was not allowed to enter and meet him.
The team waited at the gate for around 45 minutes before returning after it was denied access to Rana.
Expressing concern over the incident, the commission said it regretted the conduct of Nepal Police, describing it as contrary to the NHRC’s constitutional and legal rights.
“The commission regrets this kind of conduct by Nepal Police, which is contrary to constitutional and legal rights,” the statement said.
The NHRC has also drawn the government’s attention to taking legal action against police personnel who obstructed the commission from carrying out its constitutional and legal responsibilities.
The commission called for an impartial investigation and urged the government to ensure that its constitutional and legal powers are respected.
“Therefore, the commission draws the attention of the Government of Nepal to conduct an impartial investigation, bring police personnel who obstructed the fulfilment of its constitutional and legal responsibilities within the scope of law, and respect the constitutional and legal powers granted to the commission,” the statement said.
The NHRC has also expressed concern over the police detention of former Chief Justice Rana.
Police took Rana from his Maharajgunj residence late Saturday night and brought him to the Criminal Investigation Office, citing a “security threat.” The circumstances and legal basis of the detention have drawn questions from legal experts and human rights authorities.
