Ganga Maya Adhikari on Monday observed the 13th death anniversary of her slain son, Krishna Prasad, at Bir Hospital where she has been staging a fast-unto-death protest for the past three years demanding that her son’s murderers are brought to justice.

Krishna Prasad of Gorkha was abducted and murdered by the Maoist insurgents in Chitwan in 2004. He was 18.

More than a decade after the incident, spurred by the hunger strike by the Adhikari couple and the pressure from human rights organisations, the Supreme Court in December 2015 ordered the Chitwan district court to arrest the suspects for investigation. However, Chitwan police has not implemented the order, allegedly due to political pressure.

Ganga Maya says the government has made a mockery of the country’s justice system, claiming that the main suspect in her son’s murder case, Chhabilal Paudel, is protected by his party, CPN Maoist (Centre), also a coalition partner in the incumbent government.

The past few years has been particualarly trying for Ganga Maya, but she has remained strong. “I will continue my fast for justice,” says the 56-year-old, who is getting weaker by the day.

Her health is deteriorating, but her spirit is unyielding, even after the death of her husband, Nanda Prasad, in course of a hunger strike two years ago. After 11 months of fast, Nanda Prasad died at the same hospital.

His body has been kept at the TU Teaching Hospital’s mortuary as his only surviving son, Nur Prasad, refused to perform the last rites of his father.

Nanda Prasad will receive proper funeral service once the government arrests the murderers of Krishna Prasad, family members have said.

Nanda Prasad’s death was the first in the country, where a person died during a hunger strike for demanding justice.

“The government should take this case seriously, or else we will lose her too,” says rights defender Charan Prasai.

Prasai believes that government is protecting Krishna Prasad’s murder accused.

“Take for instance the case of murder convict Bal Krishna Dhungel, a former Maoist lawmaker, who walk free even though the court has issued an order to arrest him.” 

The Home Ministry refuted the claims about the government offering protection to murder suspects.

“There is no chance of ignoring the court order. Everything should follow due process of law which takes time,” says Yadav Prasad Koirala, the ministry’s spokesperson.

Prasai, however, argues that seven months should be enough time for police to carry out the court’s order.