Kathmandu: Prem Bahadur Chaulaune, who was brutally attacked by student leaders affiliated to Nepal Student Union, the student wing of Nepali Congress, in 2020 and whose struggle for justice was marked by stiff resistance by the political parties in power, on Friday, wrote letters to Dean R Thompson, the US ambassador to Nepal and Leann Johnston, Australian ambassador to Nepal, drawing the latter’s attention to the fact that two of his assailants, convicted by the court, fled to the US and Australia by using fraudulent documents. Chalaune has requested the envoys to help hold the perpetrators accountable by deporting them to Nepal.
His letter to the US ambassador reads:
Dear Mr. Ambassador
I am writing this letter to inform that I am a victim of brutal assault and the assailant is still at large in your nation. I hail from Achham district of Far West Nepal and teach sociology at Tribhuvan University. On October 6, 2020, I was brutally attacked in broad daylight by seven violent assailants (whom I never knew before) wielding metal rods and bamboo sticks, who relentlessly and mercilessly struck me until I fell to the ground, severely bruised and unconscious. As a result of this incident, I went through a couple of surgeries that continue to experience difficulty walking, and in addition to the multiple physical injuries, I have been left with profound psychological trauma and ongoing mental distress. I encountered significant challenges in perusing legal action against these perpetrators: I struggled running from pillar to post stumbling with various obstacles, which left me disheartened and frustrated, as they were shielded by the political party. Subsequently, with the support of media, civil society, legal and university fraternities, which also include my university students and general public who wholeheartedly sympathize to my case. I initiated a sustained protest, cross-legged for a hunger strike, and penned regular articles to the newspapers to what I went through. Ultimately, last year (2023), the district court in Kathmandu rendered a final verdict, sentencing them to two years of imprisonment. While my case was undergoing in the court, one of the primary perpetrators, named, Hari Prasad Acharya, successfully escaped to America, one and half years ago(possibly in the midst of 2023), using fraudulent documents.
America is a great country in terms of rule of law, democracy and human rights. How could a convicted culprit of Nepal make his way to the United States of the America?
Your Excellency, I believe that America is a great country in terms of rule of law, democracy and human rights. But, both to my dismay and surprise, how a convicted culprit from the district court can make his way to the United States of the America? I am sincerely expecting your help and cooperation in reflecting upon the events that transpired in my life and the traumatic experience I endured since that unfortunate day. I would also like to draw your attention to the saying, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. I respectfully request your assistance in determining the status of that convicted culprit in your country and his deportation to Nepal. Just a quick reminder, it is the same criminal group who padlocked the Tribhuvan University for 342 days, completely terrorizing the academic culture of university, where all the teachers, students, and the researchers suffered severely from what they incited. At least I ‘including my modest supporters and the university’ will find some solace in the justice served and experience a sense of peace if the perpetrator is held accountable and imprisoned.
Thank you for your time and consideration and I eagerly wait your response.
With Respect and with full anticipation
Prem Bahadur Chalaune
The letter to Australian ambassador goes as follows:
Dear Ms. Ambassador
I am writing this letter to inform that I am a victim of brutal assault and the assailant is still at large in your nation. I hail from Achham district of Far West Nepal and teach sociology at Tribhuvan University. On October 6, 2020, I was brutally attacked in broad daylight by seven violent assailants (whom I never knew before) wielding metal rods and bamboo sticks, who relentlessly and mercilessly struck me until I fell to the ground, severely bruised and unconscious. As a result of this incident, I went through a couple of surgeries that continue to experience difficulty walking, and in addition to the multiple physical injuries, I have been left with profound psychological trauma and ongoing mental distress. I encountered significant challenges in pursuing legal action against these perpetrators: I struggled running from pillar to post stumbling with various obstacles, which left me disheartened and frustrated, as they were shielded by the political party. Subsequently, with the support of media, civil society, legal and university fraternities, which also include my university students and general public who wholeheartedly sympathize to my case. I initiated a sustained protest, cross-legged for a hunger strike, and penned regular articles to the newspapers to what I went through. Ultimately, last year (2023), the district court in Kathmandu rendered a final verdict, sentencing them to two years of imprisonment. While my case was undergoing in the court, one of the perpetrators, named, Niraj Rana Magar, successfully escaped to Australia, one and half years ago (possibly in the midst of 2023), using fraudulent documents.
Your Excellency, I believe that Australia is an ideal world and a great country in terms of rule of law, democracy and human rights. But, both to my dismay and surprise, how a convicted culprit from the district court can make his way to Australia? I am sincerely expecting your help and cooperation in reflecting upon the events that transpired in my life and the traumatic experience I endured since that unfortunate day. I would also like to draw your attention to the saying, ‘injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’. I respectfully request your assistance in determining the status of that convicted culprit in your country and his deportation to Nepal. Just a quick reminder, it is the same criminal gangs who padlocked the Tribhuvan University for 342 days, completely terrorizing the academic culture of university, where all the teachers, students, and the researchers suffered severely from what they incited. At least I ‘including my modest supporters and the entire university’ will find some solace in the justice served and experience a sense of peace if the perpetrator is held accountable and imprisoned.
With Respect and with full anticipation
Prem Bahadur Chalaune
Struggle for justice
Prem Chaulaune’s struggle for justice makes for a case study subject on how political parties in Nepal try to protect the criminals if they are associated with their organizations.
Chaulaune sustained critical injuries and had to be hospitalized for care for a number of days after the incident. Chalaune then filed a case of attempted murder against the assailants in Kathmandu District Court right after he was discharged from hospital.
Nepali Congress, its leaders and even the government appeared to work to deny him justice. While the case was still sub judice, the government on June 13, 2023 decided to withdraw the case through the cabinet meeting. The proposal to withdraw the case was approved by Nepali Congress leader Dhanaraj Gurung, the Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs at the time.
Chalaune started a hunger strike inside the Kathmandu District Court premises, to protest the government’s decision to give clemency to his assailants. Government’s decision received widespread condemnation from all walks of life. Chalaune was detained by the police from the court premises. Chalaune then knocked on the doors of the Supreme Court. The apex court ordered the government not to withdraw the case.
Then in November, 2023, Kathmandu District Court convicted six student leaders affiliated with the ruling Nepali Congress for attacking Prem Chalaune with two years in jail apart from fines. The convicts included Hari Acharya, Yogendra Rawal, Rupesh Sah, Nabin Kumar Lama, Niraj Ranamagar and Sayuj Shrestha.
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