National
NHRC panel to probe Durbarmarg gang rape case
The Nepal National Human Rights Commission has formed a panel to investigate the gang rape of a 22-year-old woman by four men in a hotel at Durbarmarg in Kathmandu.The Nepal National Human Rights Commission has formed a panel to investigate the gang rape of a 22-year-old woman by four men in a hotel at Durbarmarg in Kathmandu.
The rights body on Wednesday formed its investigation panel following the failure of the police administration to register the victim’s complaint against the perpetrators of the crime.
Four men raped the woman in Landmark Hotel on January 25. One of the men is said to be the woman’s boyfriend.
NHRC Spokesperson Mohna Ansari, in a written statement, said, “Serious attention of the commission has been drawn over the act of Nepal Police negligence in registering, investigation and fact collection of the rape cases. The NHRC has formed its own investigation committee to probe the alleged gang rape case in Landmark Hotel.”
The rights body said it is seriously concerned that the police officers did not register the complaint and told the victim to settle the case with the perpetrators of the crime. The rapists have violated her dignity and human rights. Such an act by the government authority empowered to protect citizens is not acceptable.
On Tuesday, the Nepal Police Headquarters had summoned the two police officers from Durbarmarg station who had refused to register the victim’s complaint. DSP Tilak Bharati and Inspector Laxman Singh Thakuri from the Metropolitan Police Circle Durbarmarg had put pressure on the woman to settle the issue with the perpetrators instead of registering her complaint.
Following wide-spread criticism, the Nepal Police Headquarters had summoned the two officers and formed a team led by Superintendent of Police Ram Dutta Joshi to investigate into the case.
The woman who was partying with one of her friends in Dubarmarg till late night on January 25 decided to stay over the hotel. Later three men entered in the hotel room and raped her repeatedly. On Friday morning a taxi was called by the four to send her home. She asked the taxi driver to take her to Durbarmarg Police where her complaint was not registered.