KATHMANDU, JUL 12 -
The family of Chhori Maiya Maharjan, who has been missing for the past four months, claim they have been denied access to influential police officials who would possibly be helpful in tracing the whereabouts of the missing woman.
After an appointment with IGP Rabindra Pratap Shah was cancelled last week, the family were instead told to meet SSP Jay Bahadur Chand, chief of the Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range (MPR).
However, despite an appointment fixed for both Monday and Tuesday, SSP Chand made his excuse. According to Chhori Maiya’s daughter Sudha, a meeting with IGP Shah had been slated for Friday evening. However, they were later informed that the appointment had been postponed. Later, the family was told to contact the MPR saying that the IGP does not look into individual cases.
A meeting was then fixed with SSP Chand for Monday. A delegation comprising the Maharjan family and the struggle committee formed to trace Chhori Maiya’s whereabouts reached the MPR at Hanumandhoka but to no avail. “On Monday morning, we waited outside the SSP’s office for two hours but as he didn’t show up, we were forced to leave after fixing an appointment for the next day,” said Sudha.
On Tuesday, the family once again reached SSP Chand’s office at around 10:30 am. “He was already in when we reached there,” said Ganapati Lal Shrestha, who is representing the struggle committee. “But as soon as we reached there, he left saying he would be back after a meal. “He returned after around 30 minutes but we were told to keep waiting. Imagine our surprise when, around 15 minutes later, we came to know that SSP Chand had already left the office through a side-door.”
DSP Arun BC then dealt with the delegation regarding the developments made so far in the case. SSP Chand, on the other hand, said he was never informed that the Chhori Maiya’s family had reached his office. “Even when I am in not everyone’s name reaches my desk,” said Chand. “Owing to other important policing tasks, I was unable to meet some people. As a policeman I cannot guarantee my presence at the table. I have to keep visiting numerous places.”
Chand also said police were actively searching for Chhori Maiya for the past four months. “Investigations are underway,” he said. “We have issued a directive to all units to rigorously investigate this case.”
The 51-year-old woman went missing on February 28. After a police complaint was lodged, ‘prime suspect’ Surakshya Singh aka Nikki was arrested. Acquainted with the Maharjan family for 20 years, Nikki was discovered to have taken loans worth Rs 5 million from Chhori Maiya. However, Nikki was released on Rs 100,000 bail by the Kathmandu District Court.
Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/07/12/capital/police-play-hide-and-seek-with-missing-womans-kin/356978/
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