The rape allegations against Krishna Bahadur Mahara and the subsequent developments have raised serious questions about the role of institutions in the impartial pursuit of justice. The role of the investigating agency, the Nepal Police, has been especially found wanting.

After the woman’s allegations broke in the media, the police visited her apartment and collected evidence, including a piece of spectacles said to be of Mahara, a glass that Mahara had drunk out of, and the inner sole of a shoe. But since then, the investigation has not progressed any further, with senior police officials saying that there is not much they can do until the woman makes a formal complaint.

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For the elderly at the old-age home in Pashupati, Dashain is among themselves

Dashain is a time when a lot of people leave the Capital for their homes to celebrate the festival with their families. But for the senior citizens who live in the old-age home in Pashupati, the festivities are just a sore reminder of just how alone they are.

Lila Bahadur Raut of Dakshinkali has been living in the old-age home for the last 25 years. Raut, 76, is visually impaired. For a family, he has two sons: his elder son lives and works in Kathmandu while his younger son is in Australia.

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Failure to ensure justice in Mahara case could cost Nepal dearly in the international arena

A refusal to pursue the allegations of rape against Krishna Bahadur Mahara in an impartial manner could land Nepal in hot water with the international human rights community, say rights activists.

“This can become a case for universal jurisdiction because Nepal is party to many international human rights conventions,” said Dinesh Tripathi, a human rights activist. “Nepal may face several difficulties from the international community.”

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Birgunj Metropolis dumping waste near no-man’s-land

As Nepal is gearing up to make Visit Nepal 2020 a grand success by welcoming two million tourists, the country’s busiest border point in Birgunj is a sore sight to behold.

The border crossing between Nepal and India has become the city’s dumping ground of sorts, an eyesore for locals and visitors alike.

The city authority has been disposing of garbage in the no-man’s-land near Miteri Bridge despite protests from the people living near either side of the border.

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India agrees to allow Nepal to use three inland waterways

India has agreed in principle to allow landlocked Nepal to use three inland waterways, thus expanding its transit options to the sea. Nepal can even operate its own vessels on the Ganges River that runs parallel to the southern border, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies said.

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