Govt will decide on statute of limitations after report by Law Commission: Law Minister Bandi  

Recently, protests have been staged in Nepal demanding to remove the statute of limitations on rape and sexual violence cases. In South Asia, Nepal has the shortest statute of limitations on sexual violence cases.

NL Today

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Kathmandu: At a time when voices are raised to remove the statute of limitations for rape and sexual violence cases, Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Govinda Bandi has said the government was serious about the issue.

Speaking at a meeting of the House of Representatives on Monday, Law Minister Bandi said the government has entrusted the law commission to suggest on statute of limitations on rape and sexual violence cases.

The government will decide after the commission submits a report, said Minister Bandi while responding to questions raised during the discussion of a replacement bill on sexual violence.

“Law Commission is conducting a study on the issue. It will be easier to amend laws after the commission suggests the government for increasing statute of limitations and its impacts,” said Minister Bandi.

As per the penal code, the statute of limitations on reporting rape allegations is one year. A report by the international women’s rights organization Equality Now found that in comparison with five other South Asian countries, Nepal has the shortest statute of limitations on sexual violence cases.