Dr. Kundan Aryal, the Chairperson of INSEC, expressed that the government has encouraged impunity by pardoning and providing political protection and to those who have been sentenced to imprisonment by the court.
Chairperson Aryal said the following statement after meeting the relatives of Bharti Manandar Sherpa (Chetan Manandar’s wife) , who has been on a relay hunger strike in Maitighar Mandala since October 4 demanding the cancellation of the government’s recommendation and the President’s decision to pardon the imprisonment of Yograj Dhakal (Regal), who was sentenced to life imprisonment by the court for the murder of Chetan Manandhar.
Dr. Aryal committed that INSEC will stand by the victim and advocate on behalf of Bharati Sherpa for justice of the victim at both national and international bodies.
Human rights organizations including the Informal Service Sector Center (INSEC) reached the hunger strike location and expressed their solidarity with the campaign for justice.A team led by Dr. Kundan Aryal,INSEC Chairman from INSEC Central Office, Dr. Renu Adhikari ,Chairperson of Women’s Rehabilitation Center (WOREC), Shobhakar Budhathoki, Sushil BK human rights activists were present at the location.
During the meeting, Suresh GC, a relative of Bharti Sherpa, urged Dr. Kundan Aryal to take initiatives with the relevant authorities for the justice of Bharati. GC expressed that when the District Court sentenced Yograj to life imprisonment, they felt that justice had been served.
However, the pardoning granted by the President upon the government’s recommendation has added further distress to their painful situation.
He remarked that they are compelled to live in fear, where an individual who openly committed a heinous act was granted amnesty by the highest authority in the country.
During her meeting with Bharti’s relatives, Kamala Parajuli, the Chairperson of the National Women Commission, emphasized that it is a serious violation of human rights for the government to pardon and release a person who committed a serious crime. Parajuli mentioned that the Commission is monitoring the incident in a subtle manner.
Yograj Dhakal, who had received a life imprisonment sentence from the Banke District Court for the murder of Chetan Manandhar on July 13, 2015, had his punishment pardoned by President Ramchandra Paudel upon the recommendation of the Council of Ministers on Constitution Day,September 20.