A girl recently killed herself in Kathmandu after the police dilly-dallied in helping her to find justice. The girl had been raped by her father’s business partner. Instead of acting quickly, the police delayed registering a case. Registration was done only after some pressure. The girl became psychologically fragile, but there was no one to soothe and support her.
She gave up hoping for justice and was pressurized to drop the case. Furthermore, the perpetrators’ wife met the girl on many occasions and tried to lure her into marriage with her rapist husband. The girl could not stand it anymore and decided to end the ordeal by taking her own life.
She left a note for her family in which she explained that she no longer saw any point in living. However, she asked her family to continue her fight for justice. Her father has made a promise that he will fight to the end, until justice is served.
If the police had acted responsibly the girl would still be alive. Therefore it is now time to ask the Nepal police if they believe they are fulfilling their duties for Nepal has now become a country which kills its citizens by denying them justice.
A senior police officer recently claimed, when taking his oath of office, that he would not tolerate any political pressure. He made statements that he would resign from his position if he felt he had to succumb to any pressure, whatever the source. He claimed he would break the unhealthy nexus between police and politicians. It brought him much media attention. The media presented the officer as a symbol of honesty, courage, and commitment.
However, it must be asked, if the police are as committed as declared, then why are killers, rapists, abductors, and violators of human rights roaming free in Nepal? It is known that these goons have received political protection and if the police are refraining from doing the needful and putting these criminals behind bars, then has not the police become a puppet in the hands of political parties? If this is so, and it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is, then their claim of honesty and commitment is farcical.
The prevailing justice system has facilitated dons and criminals to emerge and flourish. The system is merely playing a game of catch and release. Why, because it brings the institutions of justice positive media attention while maintaining the status quo.
When the Bal Krishna Dhungels, Sanjay Sahs, and Agni Sapkotas are political leaders, constituent assembly members, and ministers, what can normal citizens expect from the Nepali nation?
People are being killed in the name of justice. Families live in fear awaiting justice. Lawyers are threatened in a broad daylight for assisting victims to seek justice. Please see an Urgent Appeal here. And the victims themselves are further victimized for their hope in the process of justice. Justice has become a pricy affair in Nepal and the courts have become a market where judges and government lawyers serve as brokers.
This is the very system where petty excuses are used to avoid providing justice as seen in the case of Chhori Maiya Maharjan. A game of hide and seek is being played and it is the common people who are losing. The victims and citizens become scapegoats.
And so the game goes on. Welcome to a nation that is killing its citizens in the name of justice.
