The Supreme Court is holding a hearing today on a writ filed against the amnesty granted to Resham Lal Chaudhary in the Tikapur murder case.
Chaudhary, who was sentenced to life imprisonment by courts at all three levels, received amnesty from the government. The writ challenging this decision was filed by Sharada Kadar, wife of police inspector Keshav Bohara, who was killed in the Tikapur incident. The case had not been heard for two years, and today a date has finally been set for the hearing.
The writ was initially filed on Jestha 16, 2080 (Nepali calendar), a day after the government granted amnesty. On Jestha 23, 2080, a single bench of former Justice Prakash Man Singh Raut issued a “show cause” order with priority status. Although various government agencies submitted written responses to the Supreme Court by Shrawan 8, the hearing date was only scheduled today.
The Tikapur incident occurred on Bhadra 7, 2072, during violent clashes between Tharuhat movement protesters and police. Seven police officers, including Senior Superintendent of Police Laxman Nyaupane, and one minor were brutally killed. Another police officer later died from injuries sustained in the clashes.
Background of the Incident:
At the time, political debates were ongoing over provincial demarcation and naming in the move toward federalism. Protests had escalated in several regions. The “Akhand Sudurpaschim” movement demanded that all nine districts of Sudurpaschim form a single province, while in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts, the Tharu community demanded a separate Tharuhat province. Opposing protests occurred in close proximity, forcing authorities to manage different routes and timings for the demonstrations.
On the day of the incident, Tharu protesters were preparing to enter Tikapur market to hang the Tharuhat Province board on government offices. SSP Laxman Nyaupane personally went to Tikapur to oversee security. However, the massive crowd overwhelmed the police, leading to sudden chaos. Protesters attacked police with knives, spears, and other weapons. Several officers were burned alive, and seven, including SSP Nyaupane, were killed. A 2.5-year-old child also died, reportedly from police gunfire. Another officer succumbed to injuries later during treatment.
Following the incident, a 32-day curfew was imposed in Kailali. On Bhadra 8, while the curfew was in effect, attacks were carried out on Tharu community homes in Tikapur. Resham Chaudhary, considered the main planner of the Tikapur incident, also set fire to Phoolbari FM and a resort.
Chaudhary was convicted as the main culprit by the district, appellate, and Supreme Courts, all of which upheld life imprisonment. However, he was released through government amnesty, approved by the President on the government’s recommendation.
Even while evading arrest, Resham Lal Chaudhary won the parliamentary election from Kailali-1 (Tikapur). After his electoral victory, he surrendered at the Kailali District Court. Following the court’s conviction, he was sentenced to imprisonment.
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