Three Alleged Victims File Complaint Against Home Minister Sudan Gurung in NHRC

KATHMANDU, Asar 9 — Ajay Sodari, Prakash Bam and Sujan Paudel have filed a complaint at Nepal's National Human Rights Commission against Home Minister and Rastriya Swatantra Party lawmaker Sudan Gurung, accusing him and his team of entering the Sorhakhutte Police Circle detention room in Kathmandu on Jestha 19 and subjecting them to mental pressure, verbal abuse and death threats while they were in custody.

The complaint, dated Asar 8 and submitted to the NHRC’s central office in Pulchowk, Lalitpur, has requested immediate field monitoring, protection of evidence and a fast-track investigation into the alleged incident.

According to the complaint, the three applicants were arrested by a team from Sorhakhutte Police Circle while they were peacefully displaying pamphlets and placards near the Indian Embassy in Lainchaur. They said the protest was related to Nepal’s border issues concerning Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura.

The applicants claimed that around half an hour after they were taken into custody, a team led by Gurung entered the detention room without authorization. They alleged that Gurung and others accompanying him put them under severe mental pressure, used abusive language and issued death threats.

The complaint says the alleged incident amounts to a serious violation of human rights inside a state security facility. The applicants have argued that the alleged actions violated their constitutional rights, including the right to live with dignity, rights relating to justice and the right against torture.

They have also requested the NHRC to immediately secure CCTV footage, visitor logs and duty registers from the Sorhakhutte Police Circle from the day of the alleged incident. The applicants said the evidence should be protected to prevent possible tampering or disappearance.

The complaint further asks the NHRC to send a special monitoring team to Sorhakhutte Police Circle, take spot statements from the applicants and investigate the facts of the case. It also calls for action against those involved and departmental action against police personnel who allegedly allowed unauthorized individuals to enter the detention area.

The applicants said the alleged involvement of a sitting home minister makes the case highly sensitive and urgent. They warned that victims could face further pressure or retaliatory behavior if the complaint is not investigated immediately.

No official response from Sudan Gurung, the Home Ministry, RSP or Sorhakhutte Police Circle was immediately available.

Three Victims Lodge Complaint Against Home Minister Sudan Gurung