Three-day extension granted for probe of atrocity against dalit family in Siraha
The two officials, who are under investigation, are Village Municipality Chairperson Shivji Yadav and Former Ward Chairperson Dilip Yadav.
KATHMANDU: In the incident involving the alleged mistreatment of a Dalit family under the guise of a religious ceremony in Siraha’s Aurahi, the district court has granted a three-day extension for the police to hold the village head and former ward chairperson in custody.
The two officials, who are under investigation, are Village Municipality Chairperson Shivji Yadav and Former Ward Chairperson Dilip Yadav.
The Siraha District Court allowed the extension after the police presented the two officials for further inquiry. The investigation has now been extended by another three days.
According to Niraj Pokharel, the court’s registrar, the two were arrested on the evening of Feb 20.
Earlier, on Sunday, the court had granted an initial five-day detention for the pair to facilitate the investigation.
The incident in question took place in Aurahi Rural Municipality-5 during a religious ceremony on Feb 22, where Dalit community member Deepak Mallik’s house was demolished by a bulldozer, allegedly on the orders of the village chairperson, former ward chairperson, and a local figure, Bajrangi Baba, in an act of caste-based discrimination.
Following the incident, Deepak Mallik, the victim, filed a complaint on March 9 with the Siraha District Police, accusing the individuals of caste-based discrimination, house destruction, and forced displacement.
Mallik has demanded legal action and compensation for the damages under relevant laws concerning caste discrimination.
Under Nepali law, those found guilty of caste-based discrimination can face prison sentences ranging from three months to three years and fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 200,000.
Bajrangi Baba, the third accused in this case, remains at large.
The case continues to develop as authorities pursue the remaining suspect.
