Kathmandu, October 8(HS): The Judicial Inquiry Commission formed to investigate the incidents of September 8–9 has clarified that the government does not need to wait for the commission’s final report before taking action against those accused of criminal acts.
Headed by retired Justice Gauri Bahadur Karki, the commission stated that law enforcement agencies are free to proceed with arrests or other legal measures against anyone found involved in the violence, even while the inquiry is ongoing.This clarification comes amid criticism that police forwarded a First Information Report (FIR) against former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and former Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak to the commission instead of initiating direct action.
Justice Karki noted that as early as September 29, he had responded to a Home Ministry statement by affirming that judicial commission findings are not a prerequisite for criminal proceedings.He explained that the commission’s mandate is limited to collecting and analyzing information or complaints related to physical and human losses during the unrest and to making recommendations for necessary measures.
The Home Ministry had earlier claimed that matters under the commission’s jurisdiction would not be addressed through the regular system until the inquiry is concluded.Justice Karki emphasized that, despite this, the government can continue to act under existing laws to counter illegal activities without delay.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
