KATHMANDU: The government led by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has decided not to pursue the high-profile rape case against controversial spiritual leader Siddhababa in the Supreme Court, effectively closing the legal avenue for the survivor to seek justice at the apex level.
According to sources at the Office of the Attorney General, considered the chief legal advisor to the Prime Minister, a written circular was sent to the District Government Attorney Office in Sunsari, instructing it not to file an appeal against Siddhababa’s acquittal in the higher courts.
The decision was formally made on July 1, and the case file has since been returned to the district office.
Six years ago, a woman (identity withheld) had filed a case at the Sunsari District Court accusing Siddhababa, born Krishna Bahadur Giri, also known as Ram Krishna Acharya or Shri Vaishnav Krishnadas, of rape.
The District Court initially found him guilty, a verdict that was later challenged by both the survivor and the accused in the High Court Biratnagar.
However, the High Court returned the case to the District Court citing procedural issues. Eventually, the District Court acquitted Siddhababa, and the High Court upheld that acquittal.
Despite the public prosecutor’s initial intent to seek a review of the verdict, the Attorney General’s Office chose not to move forward. Since rape cases are categorized as government cases in Nepal, this decision has blocked the survivor from pursuing justice through regular legal channels, forcing her to consider filing the case independently in the Supreme Court.
The survivor’s family has accused Siddhababa of using political influence to suppress the case. The decision not to appeal, they argue, shows how the state itself is working against a survivor’s right to justice.
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