Maina murder case: Maj. Basnet arrested, will be presented at Kavre court Sunday
KATHMANDU, DEC 12 - Major General of Nepal Army (NA) Niranjan Basnet, who was sent back from the UN peacekeeping mission in Chad, has been held from Tribhuvan International Airport on Saturday. Maj. Basnet will be presented before the Kavre District Court on Sunday.
Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal directed Home Minister Bhim Rawal in presence of Defence Minister Bidhya Bhandari at the latter's residence to present the accused of Maina Sunuwar murder at the court.
OHCHR has accused Basnet of breaching human rights, especially for his role in the disappearance of 15-year old girl Sunuwar from Maharajgunj in Feb. 2004.
A highly placed source from NA said that General Basnet was taken in custody for further investigation as the latter has been facing accusations from several quarters for breaching human rights.
A senior NA official said," He has been held for further investigation," adding," We are not in the situation to say anything at the moment, we will investigate."
Basnet has been kept at a jail in the Army Headquarters, Bhadrakali.
Earlier, Sunuwar's mother Devi had lodged a complaint against Basnet at Kavre District Court.
The district court had issued an arrest warrant against Basnet a year ago.
The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York had decided earlier this month to repatriate Maj. Basnet for his involvement in serious human rights violations. A military court had given Basnet a clean chit on Sunuwar’s case and sent him to the UN peace mission in Chad.
Army spokesperson claims Basnet not arrested
Meanwhile, NA spokesperson Namindra Chhetri claimed that Basnet was kept under custody for security reasons.
"He came today and he has been kept under army security," said Chhetri.
Spokesman Chhetri also said the Army will deal the case as per the law.
Posted on: 2009-12-12 09:13
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