The aggrieved party has filed a petition to the District Administration Office stating that they have not received compensation for the death of 18-year-old Kiran Rai, known as ‘Bhudeu,’ who died in police custody in Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi-10.
The family claims they have not received compensation due to the government’s failure to implement recommendations made by the National Human Rights Commission therefore filed the petition on October 21.
Sanjib Rai, the uncle of Kiran Rai, stated that although the National Human Rights Commission recommended compensation for Kiran Rai’s family who was killed due to torture in police custody 11 years ago, the state has not implemented the commission’s recommendations, resulting in the victims not receiving compensation.
He mentioned that even though the victim’s family submitted a petition and the District Administration Office had previously written to the government and the District Police Office regarding Bhudeu’s case, Chief District Officer Shivkumar Karki stated that the issue of compensation for the victim’s family will be raised in a more effective manner.
Geeta Dahal, the chief of the National Human Rights Commission’s Khotang office, stated that although the commission monitored the case of Kiran Rai’s death due to torture in police custody and recommended 11 years ago that the Nepal government provide compensation to the victim’s family, they have not received any compensation.
Bhudeu, who was arrested on October 21, 2023, on the charge of killing, died in police custody on June 11, 2023, due to torture. In that case, the National Human Rights Commission followed up and recommended that the state compensate the victim’s family, stating that it was a killing rather than a mere death.
Buddhibahadur Rai, the father of the deceased informed an INSEC representative that there has been no action taken against those responsible for his son’s death and that they have not received compensation.
Buddhibahadur Rai stated that although those involved in Bhudeu’s killing have been identified, no action has been taken. He said, “Even after 11 years since my son was arrested on charges of escaping from custody and beaten to death, the perpetrators have not been held accountable, and the state has not provided the compensation that is due.”
The National Human Rights Commission recommended action against 11 police officers, including then-DSP Rajiv Basnet and Inspector Ramesh Deb, to the government.
The commission recommended on September 5, 2023, that action be taken against DSP Basnet and Inspector Deb for departmental punishment, as well as against Sub-Inspectors Mahendra Khatri, Mukund Prasad Bidari, and Head constable Suresh Prasad Yadav, and Police Constables Nakul Rai, Ramkumar Bogati, Kailash Khatri, Chandra Khadka, Debaraj Magar, and Narayan Khadka, in accordance with the provisions related to homicide in the National Code to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
Sanjib Rai, a relative of the deceased stated that although the temporary bench of Okhaldhunga upheld the commission’s decision and recommendations, justice has not been served.
The Human Rights Commission, stating that detainee Rai died from torture, recommended on August 14, 2013, that action be taken against two Sub-Inspectors, one Head Constable , and six constables according to the National code’s( Muluki Ain) homicide provisions. They also recommended action against the then DSP and Inspector to the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The commission recommended providing the victim with compensation of Rs 300,000 according to Section 16(3) of the NHRC Act, 2068(2012) . However, Sanjib Rai, a relative of the deceased, stated that the commission’s recommendation had not been implemented as of October 21, 2024.
The post-mortem of the body was conducted at the district hospital on 21 October 2024. On the same day, the victim’s family received the body and performed the last rites in Pathkama, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality-10.
