KATHMANDU: The scheduled hearing for the case involving former minister and Nepali Congress leader Mohammad Aftab Alam, currently in custody for the Rajapur bomb incident trial in Rautahat, has been deferred.

The postponement was attributed to the limited availability of judges, with only two out of seven present at the District Court.

Eleven individuals, including Alam, face charges of murder and attempted murder using explosives in connection with the Rajapur bomb incident. The court had initially set the hearing for today but had to reschedule due to a shortage of judges.

On November 8, the court had directed the submission of argument notes within 15 days. Although the argument notes were submitted on December 10, the hearing did not proceed as planned.

The District Attorney’s Office in Rautahat filed the case against Alam on November 4, seeking life imprisonment on three counts of crime. Alam maintains his innocence, denying charges related to the production of explosives and offenses related to murder, asserting that no explosion occurred.

The case has seen various twists, with alleged pressure leading to victims changing their statements in court. Eleven individuals, including Alam, are implicated in the crime, with ten facing charges of burning those injured in a bomb explosion at a brick kiln. One person is accused of aiding the crime.

Reports suggest that Alam’s supporters were assembling a bomb under his instructions, resulting in injuries when the bomb accidentally detonated on April 9, 2008, claiming seven lives.