Supreme Court summons Minister Shrestha over writ filed by Rupa Sunar

NL Today

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Kathmandu: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday summoned Minister for Education Krishna Gopal Shrestha over writ filed against caste-based discrimination.

Responding to a writ filed by VJ Rupa Sunar, a single bench of Justice Kumar Regmi issued a show-cause notice to the defendants including Minister Shrestha and asked him to appear before the court on Tuesday with a written clarification.

Sunar had filed a writ petition at the apex against those involved in the caste-based discrimination she endured. Sunar had filed the case on Sunday against Saraswati Pradhan, the homeowner who denied Sunar a room in rent, minister Shrestha, District Public Prosecutor’s Office, and Metropolitan Police Circle, Singhadurbar.

In the writ petition, Sunar has said that Pradhan denied rent her a room after knowing that she belonged to a Dalit community. Prior to Pradhan’s denial, there had been a verbal agreement between the two parties on renting the room, the writ states.

Moreover, Sunar has demanded that her fundamental rights be protected and that the guilty of caste-based discrimination be punished.

The incident has led to widespread outrage against caste-based discrimination rife in the country and the incumbent minister’s involvement in it.

Sunar has also demanded the suspension of minister Shrestha from his post and punish him under the Caste-Based Discrimination and Untouchability (Offense and Punishment) Act, 2011. Shrestha had escorted Pradhan home in his vehicle from the police office where she was held after her arrest following Sunar’s complaint.