The Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court has issued a mandamus order against former Speaker Agni Sapkota in connection with a murder case.
With this order, the path has now opened for investigation and prosecution of Sapkota in the case of the abduction and subsequent murder of Arjun Lama from Kavre.
According to the Supreme Court’s website, the order was issued on Wednesday by a Constitutional Bench comprising Chief Justice Prakashman Singh Raut, along with Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla, Kumar Regmi, Manoj Kumar Sharma, and Kumar Chudal.
A writ petition had been filed by journalist Kanak Mani Dixit, Arjun Lama’s wife Purnimaya Lama, and human rights activist Sushil Pyakurel, demanding justice and punishment for Sapkota, accusing him of involvement in Lama’s abduction and murder in Kavre.
Purnimaya Lama had initially filed the case against Sapkota in 2069 BS (2012 AD), alleging his involvement in the murder of her husband. At the time the case was filed, Sapkota had been appointed Minister of Information and Communications.
Arjun Lama had been abducted and killed in Kavre in 2062 BS (2005 AD). Sapkota has consistently denied the allegations, arguing that the case should be treated as a conflict-era incident and therefore not subject to regular criminal prosecution.
