Kathmandu: A group of conflict victims and human rights activists have demanded an investigation into a murder case against the House of Representatives Speaker Agni Sapkota through an appeal. While expressing their concern that the attitude and activities of Sapkota are gravely inimical to the values of human rights and parliamentary democracy as well as the very dignity of the office of the Speaker, they have accused the speaker of failing to perform an institutional and legal duty.
“The Constitution and relevant laws regard the Speaker as a facilitator to ensure the smooth functioning of the House of Representatives. Agni Sapkota has continuously violated the responsibilities and expectations vested in him,” reads the appeal.
The appeal mentions that Agni Sapkota is a person against whom there is an ongoing First Information Report on targeted killing. “There are grave complaints and cases against him relating to murder and unethical conduct presently before the Kavre District Police as well as the regular bench and Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court,” states the appeal, reminding that the Supreme Court has also directed the police to submit monthly reports to it on the status of the investigation.
For more than a decade, Agni Sapkota has studiously ignored the series of Supreme Court orders in relation to the murder case, reads the appeal. “Influencing the police administration by virtue of his position of power as a Member of Parliament and minister in the cabinet, and by remaining an absconder on the murder case of Arjun Lama, Agni Sapkota is responsible for obstructing justice in the particular case and contributing to the general weakening of the law and justice system in the country,” the appeal further states.
The signatories of the appeal have demanded action against him. “The main political parties must immediately take action against Agni Sapkota in order to protect the values and principles of the parliamentary system,” they have demanded.
Comment