Two Judges Who Acquitted Aftab Alam Face Action

Kathmandu – An investigation has been initiated against two judges of the High Court Janakpur, temporary bench Birgunj, who acquitted Congress leader Aftab Alam in a case where he was accused of burning people alive in a brick kiln.

A meeting of the Judicial Council held on Thursday directed judges Khusiram Tharu and Arjun Maharjan, who issued the acquittal verdict, to appear before the council in Kathmandu.

The bench of Tharu and Maharjan had overturned the decision of the Rautahat District Court, which had found Alam guilty, and acquitted him on Jestha 14 (May 27). Since the verdict was made public, there had been widespread demands to initiate an investigation against the two judges.

The Former Judges’ Forum had also stated that the Judicial Council should not remain silent regarding judges who deliver verdicts that damage the image of the judiciary.

Moreover, CPN (Maoist) majority activists had even smeared black soot on the faces of those judges by entering the courtroom.