NEPAL: Woman violently beaten by father-in-law for refusing his sexual advances

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-184-2017
ISSUES: Administration of justice,

Dear Friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information about Mrs. Shobha Mahara (28), a resident of the Arnama Rural Municipality-1 in the Siraha District. On 17 October 2017, she was beaten by her father-in-law, Ram Sewak Mahara. Her husband, Ajay Mahara, stood silently by, without protesting or interfering with the violent beating, or helping his wife in any way. Shobha sustained life-threatening, serious injuries to her head, face, eyes, and different parts of her body. There is a notable deep wound in her head.

CASE DETAILS:

Shobha had a small altercation with her husband Ajay on 17 October 2017. Her father-in-law was displeased and thrashed her in front of her husband. Her husband stood still, did not stop the beating or help her in any way. The victim, Shobha Mahara, who became unconscious, was rescued by Police Officers attached to the Area Police Office (APO), Golbazaar.

The victim received medical treatment at the Mirchaiya-based Mangalam Clinic. She was taken for medical treatment only after her parents found out about the incident of her merciless beating. When her parents informed the Police, Inspector of Police Rajendra Upadhaya and his team rescued Shobha and had her admitted to the clinic. Since then, Shobha has been living in her parent’s home.

The Police arrested Ram Sewak Mahara and Ajay Mahara, but released them after 24 hours.

Shobha has a one and a half year old son. Her husband, Ajay, recently returned from foreign employment. While her husband was working abroad, the father-in-law used to psychologically harass her. He tried to force her into a sexual relationship and beat her when she refused his sexual advances.

The villagers are trying to mediate this incident in the village. If that happens, there is a risk that Shoba will have bigger problems in the future-as there is no surety that her father-in-law will stop his sexual advances.

Please send send leters to the authorities listed below expressing your concern regarding this incident. The AHRC requests the Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) and promptly re-arrest Ram Sewak and Ajay. They should be charged with attempt to murder, attempt to rape and being a party to domestic violence. THE VICTIM MUST RECEIVE TIMELY JUSTICE.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear __________,

NEPAL: Woman violently beaten by father-in law-for refusing his sexual advances

Name of victim: Shobha Mahara
Alleged Perpetrators: Ram Sewak Mahara and his son Ajay Mahara 
Date of incident: 17 October 2017 to present
Place of incident: Arnama Rural Municipality-1 of Siraha District

I am writing to voice my deep concern as I came to know that Mrs. Shobha Mahara (28), a resident of the Arnama Rural Municipality-1 in the Siraha District. On 17 October 2017, she was beaten by her father-in-law, Ram Sewak Mahara. Her husband, Ajay Mahara, stood silently by, without protesting or interfering with the violent beating, or helping his wife in any way.

Shobha had a small altercation with her husband Ajay on 17 October 2017. Her father-in-law was displeased and thrashed her in front of her husband. Her husband stood still, did not stop the beating or help her in any way. The victim, Shobha Mahara, who became unconscious, was rescued by Police Officers attached to the Area Police Office (APO), Golbazaar. 

The victim received medical treatment at the Mirchaiya-based Mangalam Clinic. She was taken for medical treatment only after her parents found out about the incident of her merciless beating. When her parents informed the Police, Inspector of Police Rajendra Upadhaya and his team rescued Shobha and had her admitted to the clinic. Since then, Shobha has been living in her parent’s home. 

The Police arrested Ram Sewak Mahara and Ajay Mahara, but released them after 24 hours. 

Shobha has a one and a half year old son. Her husband, Ajay, recently returned from foreign employment. While her husband was working abroad, the father-in-law used to psychologically harass her. He tried to force her into a sexual relationship and beat her when she refused his sexual advances. 

The villagers are trying to mediate this incident in the village. If that happens, there is a risk that Shoba will have bigger problems in the future-as there is no surety that her father-in-law will stop his sexual advances. Therefore, I request the immediate intervention of your good offices to urge the Police to file a First Information Report (FIR) to promptly re-arrest Ram Sewak and Ajay. They should be charged with attempt to murder, attempt to rape and being a party to domestic violence. 

I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.

Yours Sincerely,

—————————— 
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mr. Sher Bahadur Deuba 
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers of Nepal
Singh Durbar, Kathmandu
P.O. Box: 23312
NEPAL
Tel: +977 1 4211000
Fax: +977 1 4211086
Email: info@opmcm.gov.np

2. Mr. Anupraj Sharma
Chairperson
National Human Rights Commission
Pulchowk, Lalitpur
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 55 47973
Tel: +977 1 5010015
E-mail: complaints@nhrcnepal.org or nhrc@nhrcnepal.org

3. Mr. Basant Ram Bhandari 
Attorney General
Office of Attorney General 
Ramshah Path, Kathmandu
NEPAL 
Tel: +977 1 4240210, +977 1 4262548, +977 1 4262394
Fax: +977 1 4262582 / 4218051
Email: info@attorneygeneral.gov.np

4. Mr. Prakash Aryal
Inspector General of Police
Police Head Quarters 
Naxal, Kathmandu
NEPAL
Fax: +977 1 4415593
Tel: +977 1 4412432
Email: phqigs@nepalpolice.gov.np

Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)

Document Type : Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID : AHRC-UAC-184-2017
Countries : Nepal,
Issues : Administration of justice,