Complaint filed in Judicial Council against High Court judges who acquitted Alam in murder case

KATHMANDU: A complaint has been filed with the Judicial Council against two judges of the temporary bench of the Birgunj bench of Janakpur High Court, Khushi Prasad Tharu and Arjun Maharjan, who acquitted Nepali Congress leader Mohammad Aftab Alam.

Alam was previously found guilty by the Rautahat District Court for burning a man alive in a brick kiln.

The complaint demands action against the judges for overturning the Rautahat District Court verdict that had sentenced Alam.

Yubaraj Poudel Safal filed the complaint on Friday, calling for the immediate suspension of the judges and a judicial review to withdraw the immunity granted to Alam.

“I have filed this complaint demanding an investigation into the justice delivery and orders issued by Judges Tharu and Maharjan, who issued rulings unfair to the victim. I also urge their immediate suspension and other departmental actions as per the Judicial Council Secretariat Act,” the complainant stated.

Alam was accused of burning 23 people alive in a brick kiln during the 2064 BS Constituent Assembly elections.

On Kartik 29, 2076 BS, the Rautahat District Court sentenced Alam to life imprisonment under Judge Matrika Prasad Acharya’s single bench.

Following the high court’s overturning of this order, there has been widespread criticism and opposition toward the judiciary’s role across the country.