Kathmandu, Oct 16: The first lawsuits have been filed in connection with the looting, vandalism, and arson that occurred during the Gen Z protests, which saw both private and public properties attacked, set ablaze and vandalized.
One case involves the looting of former Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Executive Director Hitendra Dev Shakya’s residence and the arson at the Harisiddhi Police Post in Lalitpur.
Police have filed a case against 26-year-old Deepak Rai of Okhaldhunga’s Mane Bhanjyang Rural Municipality, Ward No. 5, who was arrested on October 20. He has been charged with criminal disturbance, robbery, and multiple related offenses.
Rai was accused of looting weapons and ammunition from the police post during the unrest. Police recovered two pistols, two magazines, and 13 rounds of bullets from his rented room. Based on police reports, the total damage in the case amounts to over Rs 8.84 million. The damage includes Rs 7.5 million to the police building, Rs 210,000 for a Pulsar motorbike, Rs 280,000 for walkie-talkies, and Rs 852,400 worth of uniforms and other goods. Prosecutors have demanded more than ten years of imprisonment for him.
Rai had previously been convicted in an indecent behavior case in February 2023 and sentenced to 20 days in prison and a Rs 200 fine. The prosecution has sought an additional sentence on that basis. Video footage, photos, and CCTV evidence, along with the seized weapons, have been presented as proof.
In a separate case, another complaint has been filed against four individuals over the looting and arson at Shakya’s home in Lalitpur. The District Government Attorney’s Office filed the case following a police investigation based on a complaint by Shakya’s wife, Karuna Shakya.
The accused include 18-year-old Seraj Alam of West Champaran, Bihar, currently working at Auto X Garage in Buddhanagar; 25-year-old Phursang Lama of Kavre; 22-year-old Sahajad Miya Mansuri of Bara; and 28-year-old Manish Sunar of Rautahat.
According to the complaint, a group of 30 people had forcefully entered the house around 1:30 p.m. on September 9 during the protests and looted valuables. The house’s ground floor housed an NGO named “Restless,” while the family lived on the upper floor. The total loss was estimated at Rs 5.09 million.
Items reported stolen included foreign currency, gold jewelry, medals, watches, electronics, and household items such as televisions, washing machines, and furniture. Police recovered some silver ornaments and other items from the suspects’ rooms.
Prosecutors have demanded over ten years of imprisonment, fines, and compensation equivalent to the loss.
According to Lalitpur District Court spokesperson Tikajung Karki, Seraj Alam’s statement was recorded on Wednesday, and his detention hearing is scheduled for Thursday. The same day, the case against Deepak Rai will also move forward for statement and hearing.
-.People's News Monitoring Service