NEPAL: Torture victims file case against police at Kanchanpur Court

Source: http://www.humanrights.asia/news/urgent-appeals/AHRC-UAC-093-2014

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Terai Human Rights Defenders Alliance (THRD Alliance) regarding the police having tortured two persons on 30 April 2014. The police took Kalu and Hikmat Chaudhari on their private motorcycles to the Bhasi Police Station and ordered them to sign a document. When they raised questions about the content of the paper and objected, the officers beat them severely. When the victims could not tolerate torture anymore, they signed the document. Then, they were tortured further for trying to teach the police about law and jurisdiction, and released only when Kalu fainted. The victims have filed a case seeking punishment for the police officers and compensation. The AHRC fears for the safety of Kalu and Hikmat Chaudhari. The incident illustrates the incapacity of the Nepal police to investigate a case in a scientific manner and the impunity and abuse of power in Nepal, which is on the rise and affecting the liberty of common Nepalese.

CASE NARRATIVE:

When Mr. Kalu Chaudhari, aged 21, and Hikmat Chaudhari, aged 25, were returning home from work at around 8:30 p.m. on 29 April 2014, they were accosted by Mr. Min Aer from their own village. All of them are residents of Mahuliya, Bhimdutta Municipality 2, Kanchanpur district. According to information received by the AHRC, Min, who was drunk, verbally abused Kalu and Hikmat, provoking the heated argument that followed. The argument escalated and Min attacked the men. Kalu and Hikmat responded in self-defense by beating Min back with a stick. The scuffle likely resulted in a bruise on Min’s head. Kalu and Hikmat then carried on to their homes.

The next morning, at around 7:30 a.m., two policemen from Bhasi Police Station arrived at Kalu’s house and took Kalu and Hikmat, who lives nearby, to the local police station on their motorbikes. The policemen did not serve any arrest warrant before detaining the men.