Ward Chairman Released on Bail Amidst Controversy Over Assault on Police

Surkhet. Ward Chairman Kesharman BK of Athbiskot Municipality-3, who was arrested on charges of obstructing a public servant, has been released. He was arrested on October 6. Chief District Police Office Rukum Paschim's Information Officer, Police Inspector Jhabindra Pariyar, said that Ward Chairman BK was released on bail on Friday. 'We have released him on the condition that he will be present when needed,' he told Ratopati. However, this incident has become very controversial. Rukum Paschim Police have accused Ward Chairman Kesharman of using abusive language, verbally abusing, assaulting, and tearing the uniform of the police team while trying to arrest Gopal BK, also known as Birendra, who was absconding in a case of indecent behavior. The police claim that Ward Chairman BK was arrested for obstructing police work. Gopal is Ward Chairman BK's own brother. However, Ward Chairman BK has stated that the allegation of assaulting a police officer on duty is 100% false. He has also been criticized by the police for being beaten and tortured in police custody. Human rights activists and his party, the Communist Party of Nepal, demanded an investigation into the incident, stating that BK was beaten and injured in police custody. They have also demanded legal action against those involved in the beating. Accordingly, a 3-member study committee headed by Police Superintendent Ram Prasad Gharti of the Karnali Province Police Office has been formed. This committee will ascertain the facts regarding the beating in custody. 'The ward chairman has been released, and we are investigating the matter of the beating,' Coordinator Gharti told Ratopati. 'The investigation may take a few more days.' The team will investigate the incident and prepare a report. Police Claim Rukum Paschim Police have mentioned the previous conduct of Ward Chairman BK. They stated that he had been arrested 3 times previously for various offenses and released on bail. The police also claim that Ward Chairman BK's conduct in the village is gangster-like and that he has been involved in various incidents. Police Statement Verbatim: Based on secret information that Gopal BK alias Birendra, a resident of Athbiskot Municipality-3, approximately 33 years old, has a registered complaint against him in this office under the charge of indecent behavior, a police team from the District Police Office was dispatched on October 6 to search for Gopal. While searching, at approximately 9 AM, Gopal and his elder brother, Ward Chairman Kesharman BK, were found on the road near Kalika Temple in Muskot Municipality-1, Khalanga Bazaar. Thereafter, Gopal was told, 'There is a complaint of indecent behavior filed in your name, you need to come to the District Police Office.' While informing him of this, Ward Chairman Kesharman suddenly got into an argument with the police team dispatched from the District Police Office. He used obscene words, verbally abused, pushed and shoved, and helped his brother Gopal escape from the spot. He then assaulted the on-duty public servant and tore his clothes. He was immediately arrested from the spot for obstructing the work of performing his duty. The investigation into this matter is currently underway. Details of Previous Cases Against Kesharman: - On 2019/09/19, a case of indecent behavior was registered at the District Police Office based on a complaint from Athbiskot Municipality. After the investigation, he was released on a bail of 10,000 rupees by order of the District Administration Office dated 2019/09/30. - On 2020/06/19, a case of attempted murder was registered based on a complaint from Amrite Bohara and others. After the investigation, he was released on a bail of 100,000 rupees by order of the Rukum District Court dated 2021/01/22. - On 2021/01/21, a case of indecent behavior was registered based on a complaint from Tarak Bahadur Shahi. After the investigation, he was released on a bail of 24,000 rupees by order of the District Administration Office dated 2021/01/30. - His conduct while living in the village has not been satisfactory, and he has shown gangster-like behavior and has been involved in various incidents repeatedly. Ward Chairman's Statement Ratopati had inquired in detail with Ward Chairman BK about the incident. He stated that he was subjected to extreme mental torture, humiliation, and physical injury in custody due to political prejudice. 'I have a serious eye problem and am currently undergoing treatment at the hospital,' he said. 'I will pursue legal remedies and justice against the violation of human rights and the barbaric oppression of a people's representative.' He has also received treatment at Karnali Province Hospital, Surkhet, previously. His Detailed Statement About the Incident Verbatim Three years ago, 'Kshitej Batain Builders', in my brother's name, had a sub-contract agreement with the main contractor on the Naduwa-Lisnebir road section. The first 4-5 bills were paid as per the agreement. Later, problems started arising with the payment. Since the contractor was from far away and the bank account was also in his name, nothing came to our account. After the payment was not made, about a year ago, my brother filed a complaint at the District Administration Office and District Police Office regarding unpaid wages for laborers and vehicle rent. At that time, the CDO asked to settle it outside. Then, an oral agreement was reached with contractor Bhim Bahadur Thapa to pay the 5% retention amount and 32 lakh rupees for vehicle rent by the end of Asar. My brothers had already stopped working. No payment was made even by the end of Asar. The contractor brought a roller and grader and started work on the sub-gravel road without coordinating with anyone. When we told them not to do any further work without clearing our accounts, there was a minor altercation. Then the contractor filed a complaint with the police, saying that they were not allowed to work. Since my brother was in the village and his phone was not reachable, I went to the District Police Office myself on October 3 to inquire. The contractor said, 'You need to facilitate, I will come on the 20th,' so I also told my brother to come on the 20th. However, the contractor came on the 18th/19th and had already spoken with the police. On the 19th, the contractor and I sat together and drank tea all day. Around 7 AM on the 20th, while I was getting my hair cut at a salon, my brother arrived and said the DSP had called. Immediately, plainclothes plainclothes police arrived. Those police said, 'The DSP is angry, he will detain those who don't answer the phone for 1-2 days,' and took my brother away on a motorcycle. Seeing the police deployed on the road, my brother became suspicious, got off the motorcycle, and moved aside. Then a policeman came and tried to misbehave with me, asking, 'Are you helping my brother escape?' I said, 'I am a people's representative, I have come to facilitate, why are you doing this?' and there was an argument. I went towards the District Police Office. I reached the police station, registered my name, and sat in the waiting room. After about half an hour, the DSP came and started abusing, saying, 'Where did that thief, scoundrel Gopal go? I will break his ribs.' When I said, 'He might be with the police officer who went to pick him up,' he went into his office without listening. After 5-10 minutes, a constable said, 'The DSP has called,' and as I was going towards the office, 8-10 police officers surrounded me at the channel gate. The DSP said, 'Catch this scoundrel, dacoit people's representative,' and started using obscene abuses. My jacket was removed, my hands were cuffed behind my back. When I said, 'You called for a discussion, I am a people's representative,' he subjected me to extreme torture, saying, 'You didn't answer the phone?' I was beaten in the waiting room for half an hour. Then I was taken to the office upstairs. All the investigating officers were also there. In front of them, they spat in my face and subjected me to further torture, saying, 'He needs to be dealt with.' Then Inspector Jhabindra Pariyar was called, and the DSP instructed him, 'This dacoit assaulted the police, he got injured by falling himself, get his medical done and file a case.' Then I was kept in the custody cell. Even though I requested to be allowed to rest due to severe injuries, 10-12 police officers entered the custody cell, dragged me around, and beat me again. I reached a semi-conscious state. In the afternoon, I was secretly taken for a medical examination without anyone seeing and brought back to custody. Around 2 PM, I was taken to the District Administration Office for a remand extension via the government attorney's office. However, the CDO was not there. Service recipients present in the premises of the administration office saw me and asked, 'This is the ward chairman of ward 3, why is he so injured?' I narrated the story of being severely beaten by the police. Friends present there recorded a video of my condition and posted it on social media, after which this incident became public. Otherwise, the police had planned to keep it secret and put me under house arrest. The allegation that I assaulted a police officer on duty is 100% false. I went to the office myself after registering my name. If it is proven that I committed any assault, I am ready to face any punishment. This incident should be investigated impartially. Municipality Says: Road Work Couldn't Be Done Due to Ward Chairman's Brother Meanwhile, Athbiskot Municipality has said that the incident of beating the ward chairman should be investigated. The statement also mentions that the road work has been repeatedly obstructed due to the ward chairman's brother. In a statement issued by Acting Mayor Dhankumari Shahi, it is stated, 'Everyone knows that the road work could not be done due to Gopal, and the contractor has also said that the work could not be done because of him. The public's road should not be obstructed due to the bullying of an individual.'