Home Minister Vows Maximum Legal Punishment in Child R*ape-M*urder Case
Nepal Home Minister Sudhan Gurung has pledged to seek the maximum punishment under the law for those accused in the rape and murder of three-year-old Garima Chaudhary in Jitpur Simara, Bara.
Garima went missing from the Dashdhure landless settlement on August 16, and her body was found two days later in an abandoned building. Police arrested Suman Thapa, a public van helper, after a tracker dog linked him to the crime scene. Thapa reportedly confessed to luring, assaulting and killing the child. Van driver Progress Chaudhary and four others were later detained following a complaint by the victim’s family.
Addressing public demands for capital punishment and protests in Simara, Gurung said Nepal’s Constitution prohibits the death penalty and the country is also bound by international treaties. He said Law Minister Sobita Gautam is working on legal amendments to close loopholes in cases involving crimes against women and children.
The minister also said an internal inquiry had begun into allegations of negligence by local police during the initial investigation. He urged political parties, the public and media to avoid unverified claims and allow an impartial, scientific investigation to ensure swift justice.
