Murder-accused UML lawmaker Koiri suspended

KATHMANDU: CPN-UML lawmaker Laxmi Prasad Mahato has been suspended.

Speaker Devraj Ghimire published a notice regarding Mahato’s suspension as per Rule 248 (3) of the Huse of Representatives Regulations on Tuesday.

Lawmakers of the ruling parties had complained on April 28 that the Speaker was protecting murder-accused Koiri. In response, Speaker Ghimire had said he was not aware that lawmaker Koiri was on the wanted list of Nepal Police.

The Nepal Police then wrote a letter to Speaker Ghimire notifying him about the case. Speaker Ghimire suspended him based on the letter.

According to police, Koiri and his supporters dragged injured Assistant Sub Inspector Thaman BK from an ambulance and killed him on September 11 during the 2015 Madhes movement. Koiri and 27 others were charged with murder. But Koiri was released on a bail of Rs 200,000 by the Mahottari District Court.

Dissatisfied with the district court’s verdict, BK’s family challenged the decision at the Janakpur High Court. The higher court overturned the district court’s verdict and ordered police to keep Koiri in custody until the final verdict is passed. But Koiri hasn’t surrendered before the court.