SIRAHA: An arrest warrant issued over a month ago by the Siraha District Court against the Ward Chairperson of Siraha Municipality-13, Sarvendra Sah, remains unexecuted, prompting local outrage over alleged political interference.
Ward Chair Sah, elected in the 2022 local elections under the UML banner, along with 11 others, has been accused of criminal nuisance, arson, and robbery.
Despite the arrest warrant being issued on March 26 following a High Court Rajbiraj directive, police have not detained any of the accused.
Local residents allege that political patronage is shielding the suspects from law enforcement. “Even with the court order, they are freely roaming around,” said Dinesh Yadav, a local resident.
The accused reportedly include Prakash Mahato, Dukhi Mahato, Panchalal Mahato, Sogarath Mahato, Aman Mahato, Ramdinesh Yadav, Satish Yadav, Jivachh Mahato, Sobhit Mahato, Khushi Lal Mahato, and Pandav Mahato.
The case stems from an incident on January 7, when Ramsewak Bhandari, 66, of Phulbariya in Siraha-13, claimed his home was looted and set on fire. According to Bhandari, he was attempting to build a fence on his land when the accused group insulted and physically assaulted him and his family. He alleges that valuables including gold and silver were looted, with the total loss estimated at Rs 5 million.
Bhandari initially approached the Siraha District Police Office to register a complaint, but after repeated refusals, he filed a writ of mandamus at the Rajbiraj High Court on July 5. The court subsequently ordered the police to register the case.
However, despite the court’s order and the issuance of arrest warrants, no action has been taken. Siraha Police Chief SP Anantaram Sharma said the case is under investigation. “This case was registered before I took charge, but the police are proceeding with the investigation,” he said.
Locals and opposition parties accuse Leelanath Shrestha, the UML lawmaker from Siraha Constituency No. 3 and former Minister for Law, of exerting undue influence to protect Sah and the accused. “The police are under political pressure and have failed to act,” residents claim.
The inaction has stirred anger in the community, with growing calls for accountability and the execution of court orders.
Comment