The Supreme Court issued a mandamus order on 18 August to investigate the 19-year-old Gaur killing case. The bench of Justices Til Prasad Shrestha and Nityananda Pandey granted the mandate in response to a petition requesting an investigation into the case. With this order, the investigation and prosecution process is expected to move forward.
The petition was filed by Tribhuvan Sah, naming the District Police Office, Rautahat, and the District Attorney’s Office, Rautahat, as respondents. Upon reviewing the petition, the Supreme Court authorized the initiation of legal proceedings against the respondents.
On 21 March 2007, the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum and the Madhesi Rastrya Mukti Morcha (Maoist-affiliated) with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), organized public assemblies at the rice mill grounds in Gaur Municipality-5, Rautahat. A clash reportedly occurred between the two groups at the venue, following which the supporters of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum attacked the opponents, resulting in the deaths of 27 individuals, including five women.
The Madhesi Janadhikar Forum had been promoting a public assembly at the rice mill grounds scheduled for 21 March 2007 for over a week in advance. In contrast, the Madhesi Rastrya Mukti Morcha (Maoist-affiliated) began promoting their assembly at the same location and dated only a day before the event.
During the clash at the assembly venue, gunfire was reported. The casualties occurred at multiple locations: six people at the venue, 11 in Hajamminiya Rural Municipality outside Gaur Municipality, two near Mudwalwa, two in Lakshmipur Belbichuwa, four at Gaur Hospital during treatment, and two more while being taken to Bharatpur, bringing the total number of deaths to 27. All of the deceased sustained severe head injuries. They were reportedly attacked with bamboo sticks, stones, and bricks, and set on fire. All victims were Maoist cadres.
In addition, 52 people were injured: among them, three were civilians, four were supporters of the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, and the rest were Maoist cadres. After receiving initial treatment at Gaur Hospital, the injured were referred to Narayani Hospital in Birgunj and later treated at Medical College, Chitwan. INSEC has already conducted an on-site monitoring in the Gaur massacre and published a report. Likewise, the National Human Rights Commission on 3 January 2023 directed the government to take action, noting that no progress had been made in the investigation.
