Kathmandu, 26, Sep: The high-level judicial investigation commission probing the incidents during the Janai Jatra movement has announced that individuals found to be involved will have their passports revoked and be barred from foreign travel. Commission Chair Gauribahadur Karki stated that this decision will be based on suspicion of involvement and some preliminary evidence obtained. “The commission, which has a three-month mandate, will proceed with the cases and recommend action against the guilty,” he said.
Karki Vows to Make Report Public, Assures Impartial Probe on All
Referring to the non-implementation of reports from previous inquiry commissions like the Mallik and Rayamajhi commissions, Karki claimed that the current report would not be kept secret and action would be taken against the guilty. “When this commission was formed, I clearly set two conditions with the government,” Karki told Kantipur, “First, this commission’s report must be implemented, and second, the commission’s report cannot be kept confidential.” Karki made it clear that if an attempt is made to keep the report secret, he himself would make it public. He claimed that all leaders in the government and the ruling coalition would be investigated. He mentioned that initially, police personnel deployed in the field, then those giving orders, and subsequently those in the government would be called for statements in a phased manner. He claimed that the commission’s investigation would be conducted without any prejudice or interference. “No one will be investigated in a targeted manner. No one will be exempted from investigation either,” Karki said, “This commission will investigate everyone, big or small, within its jurisdiction.”
Karki informed that the commission has requested the government for human resources, as a lack of expert manpower was posing a problem for the investigation. Stating that the commission has already started work with its office set up at the Department of Water and Meteorology, Karki claimed that the pace of work would pick up after the Dashain holidays. He claims he will not discriminate against anyone on any basis and will grant no one immunity from being brought within the investigation’s scope.
