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Govt still hesitates to remove the statute of limitations for rape notwithstanding pressure

Law and Justice Minister Govinda Bandi addresses the House of Representatives meeting, in Kathmandu, on Monday, June 6, 2022.
Law and Justice Minister Govinda Bandi addresses the House of Representatives meeting, in Kathmandu, on Monday, June 6, 2022.

Kathmandu, June 6

The government says it will not immediately remove the statute of limitations for rape and sexual violence cases as demanded by the activists and other stakeholders.

Following the revelation of an eight-year-old rape case by a beauty pageant organiser recently, there is mounting pressure on the government to make reforms. Both houses of the federal parliament have received resolution motions urging the government to remove the limitation.

According to the National Penal Code Act 2017, chapter 18, section 229 (2), the Statute of Limitations, a rape case must be filed within a year of the occurrence if the survivor is an adult, and within a year of the survivor turning 18 if the survivor is a minor.

But, speaking in the House of Representatives meeting on Monday, Law and Justice Minister Govinda Bandi says the government will wait for a report from the Nepal Law Commission about the issue before making a decision about the statute of limitations.

“The government is serious about your sentiments that no one should be deprived of justice. Therefore, the government has directed the commission to launch a study into it as soon as the public debate started.”

“Once the report comes in, the government will make necessary reforms,” he assured.

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