Justice in chains

Rising incidents of torture in judicial custody are inhumane and unconstitutional.

Incidents of custodial torture, though on the rise, remain largely neglected in Nepal. Just last month, a banking fraud convict—found unconscious in Kailali district jail following his arrest— died during treatment at Seti Zonal Hospital. The alleged torturer, a sub-inspector, has been arrested, but he is unlikely to face charges given the country’s history in granting clean chits to perpetrators. Such practices have so normalised custodial deaths that even though the National Human Rights Commission recommended prosecuting 16 cases in the last fiscal year—following 55 investigations related to complaints of torture—not a single one was executed. Likewise, despite the 2018 enactment of the Nepal Penal Code, no convictions have been made to date. This points to a serious disregard for the anti-torture law and the rights of inmates, and a clear violation of the constitutional prohibition of torture.