Press Release from Non-Resident Madheshis Association regarding arrest of Dr. CK Raut

Non-Resident Madheshis Association (NRMA) issued a press release demanding immediate release of Dr. CK Raut and whereabouts of Surendra Yadav. The press release is as following:

Appeal for immediate Release of Dr. CK Raut, disclosing whereabouts of Surendra Yadav Non-Resident Madheshis Association (NRMA) condemns and expresses its deep concerns against illegal, undemocratic and unconstitutional arrest of Dr. Chandra Kant Raut, scientist turned Madhesh Rights activist, who was arrested from Janakpur, Nepal on 2nd Feb, 2017 from his rented residence by Nepal Police.  The police behaved in high-handed manner by breaking the lock of the main entrance and harassing his kids and family before arresting him.

The arrest is unconstitutional as Dr. Raut has already been tried in several courts of Nepal and has been cleared of charges of treason, sedition, and public offence. Nepali Constitution 2072, Part 3, Section 20(6) clearly bars retrial of same person under same offence.

Moreover, Nepal is a signatory of United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights which ensures the rights of freedom of speech, movement, peaceful assembly and association as the fundamental rights of all human beings everywhere. Hence, arresting Dr. Raut on similar charges is in violation of established principles of human rights and international conventions of which Nepal is a signatory.

On 3rd Feb, 2017, Nepal Police remanded Dr. Raut on judicial custody framing charge of “Organized Crime against state”, which itself exposes the drama of the arrest. Dr. Raut has been previously being harassed by the government under similar pretense. On behalf of Madheshi diaspora throughout the world, NRMA demands for immediate and unconditional release of Dr. CK Raut and dropping of illegal charges against him and also urges Nepal government to immediately disclose whereabouts of Surendra Yadav, who is disappearing since 1st February 2017 from Lahan after Nepali police arrested him.

Sincerely

Basant Kushwaha

President,

International Committee,

Non-Resident Madheshis Association