KATHMANDU: The division bench of justices Prakash Man Singh Raut and Kumar Regmi of Supreme Court has refused to take the hearing ahead on a writ petition filed by former Nepali Congress (NC) Minister and accused in the murder of the people in Rautahat Brick kiln Mohammad Aftab Alam citing conflict of interest.

The division bench termed the proceedings on the petition as ‘not to be seen’ due to conflict of interest by their bench on Friday. With the bench’s announcement, the case has to be assigned to another bench.

Earlier, the SC had sought the details of the previous courts grounds’ for their verdict on the decision to send former minister Mohammad Aftab Alam to jail until the final verdict was issued.

While giving its verdict on the Alam’s petition demanding himself bail till the final verdict of the court comes, the apex court had asked the government to provide all documents starting from the FIR to the court verdict denying him a bail.

The Rautahat District Court on November 15, 2019, had sent former minister and suspended NC lawmaker Alam to serve his custody in jail for allegedly murdering his cadres injured in a bomb explosion some 12 years ago.

A single bench of Manoj Kumar Sharma had made the order following the hearing on Alam’s request for a bail till the final verdict of the court.

The District Attorney Office, Rautahat, on November 4, 2019, had filed the case against Alam demanding life imprisonment on three counts of crime.

Alam has been charged with a crime for the production of explosives and offenses related to the murder, which he has been denying. While pleading not guilty before the court, Alam has claimed that no explosion took place.

The case has been followed by twists and turns with victims changing their statements before the court under alleged pressure from Alam.

Charge-sheets were filed against 11 persons for the crime. 10 persons, including Alam, have been charged with burning those injured a bomb explosion in a brick kiln. One has been accused of assisting the crime.

Alam’s cadres were reportedly making a bomb following his order and were injured when the bomb accidentally went off on April 9, 2008.

Seven persons were killed in the bombing.