30 May, 2011. In its first ever order asking the suspension of a serving minister, the Supreme Court has directed the government of Nepal to submit a written clarification within fifteen days why the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. Agni Prasad Sapkota, should not be removed from his position.
Single bench of Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi sought the aforesaid justification from the government as a response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a group of human rights defenders on 27 May 2011 challenging the controversial appointment of minister Sapkota despite his alleged involvement in abduction and murder of Arjun Lama of Kavre District during the conflict.
The litigation has made Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara defendant for publicly announcing the intentions of the government to withdraw a host of cases including the one filed against Sapkota.
On March 10, 2008, the SC ordered the District Police Office of Kavre to register a murder case against Minister Agni Sapkota and five Maoist cadres. As a result, on August 11, 2008, the Kavre police finally registered an FIR. However, no substantial progress has been made in the case.
It may be noted that different countries including Australia and the US have even imposed travel restrictions on Sapkota because of the charges against him.
Advocacy Forum has been providing legal assistance to the family members of the victims.
