A single bench of Justice Dilli Ratna Shrestha pronounced the verdict after studying the written arguments of both sides—plaintiff and defendant—and other documents.

Thapa’s widow Laxmi had filed a case on January 28, 2013, against nine district cadres and leaders of then rebel Maoists. The charge-sheet was filed five years after Laxmi lodged the complaint with the police.

Judge Shrestha, in his verdict, has ordered the release of two defendants Bir Bahadur KC, and Laxmi Gharti as they have completed their jail term. According to the verdict, another defendant Nirak Gharti Magar has to serve another one month in jail and other defendants Hari Lal Pun and Jaya Bahadur Shahi have been directed to remain in jail for another four months and 29 days.

Meanwhile, the court has decided to keep on hold the charge-sheets against the other four accused who are on the run. Bam Bahadur Khadka alias ‘Mukti’, Bam Bahadur Khadka ‘Arun’, Keshav Khadka and Bhakti Ram Lamichhane have been absconding.  

Dailekh -based journalist Thapa was killed by the former Maoist rebels in August, 2004. Thapa had left the district headquarters to meet some local rebel leaders to discuss the resumption of water supply to the Dailekh town that was cut off by the rebels. He was captured on the way, tortured for days and buried alive.