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The subcommittee had earlier summoned former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Om Bikram Rana, incumbent IGP Ramesh Chand Thakuri and other officials involved in the deal to record their statements. Source: www.myrepublica.com Date: December 17, 2009 Rights defenders dismayed at NA's refusal to hand over Maj. Banest to civilian court Human rights defenders and legal experts have expressed serious concern over Nepal Army's "point-blank refusal" to hand over Major Niranjan Basnet, who has been implicated in the torture and murder of Maina Sunuwar in 2004, to the civilian court. "We strongly demand to produce Major Basnet, who is an absconding suspect, in court without further ado and thereby respect the rule of law," human rights workers, legal experts and media personalities representing 20 different organisations stated in a joint press release Thursday. Basnet was arrested on December 12 from Tribhuvan International Airport upon his arrival after being expelled from the UN peacekeeping mission in Chad. The NA has said Basnet is in its security and that investigation is underway on the accusation of murdering the teenage girl from Kavre. The press release issued by the rights activists also reminded that the Interim Constitution of Nepal has adopted the principle of independent judiciary, and empowers the court to exercise the judicial power regarding the administration of justice. "The Army Act also provides for the arbitration of murder cases involving civilians under the jurisdiction of a civilian court." They said, "Therefore, we strongly demand that Maj. Basnet be produced before the Kavre District Court without any delay and legal action be proceeded against other perpetrators, viz. Amit Pun, Sunil Adhikari and Babi Khatri, for ending impunity and upholding the rule of law." Although the army officials involved in the murder of Maina were punished by the Court Marital, the Apex Court had ruled that the said punishment was against the existing law and issued the order of mandamus in the name of the Office of Attorney General and the Nepal Police to duly register a case in the Kavre District Court. Following the Supreme Court's order, the Kavre-based Office of Public prosecutor had filed a charge sheet on the murder pinpointing the name of Major Basnet along with other alleged perpetrators. Those signing the statement included rights activist Subodh Pyakurel, Charan Prasain, journalist Kanak Dixit, president of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Dharmendra Jha, Nepal Bar Association general secretary Raman Shrestha, Rameshwor Upadhaya of Nepal University Teachers Association, Dr Renu Rajbhandri of WOREC and Mandira Sharma of Advocacy Forum.
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