KATHMANDU: Civil society activists and conflict victims have appealed to impeach Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota citing that he is a murder-accused who has not been able to maintain the integrity of his office.
As many as 14 persons, including activists and victims, demanded the removal of Sapkota from the Speaker’s post, stating that he was unethically made the Speaker while a murder case against him was underway at the court. They added that Sapkota should be brought to books following impeachment.
Sapkota is accused of murdering Arjun Lama of Kavre after kidnapping him during the Maoist insurgency and a court case has been underway for long.
Arjun Lama’s wife Purnimaya, conflict victims Sabitri Shrestha, Suman Adhikari, Yagya Raj Thapa, civic society leaders Kanakmani Dixit, Sushil Pyakurel, among others, issuing a statement on Tuesday, appealed to the major political parties to take appropriate action regarding Sapkota’s activities so as to protect the values of the parliamentary system.
The statement read, “Agni Sapkota is a person accused of murder for years and figures on the police’s fugitives list. It is/was not possible for a person with such a flawed character to do justice to a dignified post like the Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR).”
“Since his election as the Speaker, there has been a serious decline in the performance of the HoR. We, therefore, call on Sapkota to remedy his wrongdoing, assist the Nepal Police in upholding the rule of law, and present the grounds for his misconduct before the public,” the statement added.
“We are ready to help the Nepal Police to find and arrest Sapkota.”
Stating that Sapkota’s behavior as the speaker was prejudiced and as he was facing criminal charges, the activists have sought action against him.
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