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Radha Chaudhary: Victim Of Superstition
Radha Chaudhary: Victim Of Superstition
By KTM Metro Reporter
March 13, 2018
Kathmandu: On March 8, 2018, while the world was celebrating the 108th International Women’s Day, one young woman named Radha Chaudhary suffered heavy physical torture perpetrated by Ram Bahadur Chaudhary popularly known as Bhole baba, and his accomplices such as Kishmati Chaudhary, who tied up Radha’s hands and then dragged Radha out of her home to the courtyard, and Smarika Chaudhary, who repeatedly hit the victim suspecting her to be a witch while a number of folks standing in circle watched the agony of the victim. The video of this incident posted on facebook went viral.
Speaking at the parliament session held for Prime Minister KP Oli to seek the vote of confidence on March 11, 2018, a number of women and men lawmakers spoke about the anguish Radha had undergone at the hands of the perpetrators, and demanded the strong actions against the culprits and bring them to justice. Prime Minister KP Oli then promised to bring the perpetrators of crime to justice, and even told the parliament that the man released by the police was rearrested.
The Office of the Prime Minister issued a statement stating the Council of Ministers directed the District Administration Office in Kailali to immediately investigate the incident of 20-year-old Radha Chaudhary, who was physically assaulted for hours on the charge of practicing witchcraft that took place at Ghodaghodi municipality-5 of the district on March 8, and take against those found guilty in it, the news on http://therisingnepal.org.np/news/22384 stated. The PMO said that the Government would foot the bills of the cost of treatment of Chaudhary.
"This incident that took place as the world was celebrating International Women's Day makes it clear that the roots of superstition and harmful practices are spread up to the grassroots level. This incident is certainly an insult to human consciousness and civilization, and has tarnished the image of the country as a whole. Hence, the activities trying to misuse illiteracy, superstition and backwardness among the people should be strictly contained so as to avoid such criminal acts in future," reads a statement issued by the Prime Minister's press aide Ram Sharan Bajgain., the news on http://therisingnepal.org.np/news/22384 stated.
Chief Minister of Province-7 Trilochan Bhatta visited Radha Chaudhary, who was molested on the charge of practicing witchcraft at the Seti Zonal Hospital to take the stock of the Radha’s health condition on Sunday, March 11. Bhatta further assured Chaudhary of providing her with financial support for the medical treatment and of taking strict actions against the culprits. “This is a horrendous crime. Such cases might have increased because victims are pressurized for reconciliation. It is a bad practice. Strict actions will be taken against the culprit,” said the Chief Minister. Minister for Social Development Dirgha Sodari also committed that the government would pay for all the cost of her treatment, the news on https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/cm-bhatta-visits-chaudhary-at-hospital-commits-to-take-strict-action-against-culprits/.
The police had arrested Ram Bahadur Chaudhary for assaulting Radha on the charge of being a witch but the police released Chaudhary on the same day in presence of Ghodaghodi Municipality Head Mamta Prasad Chaudhary, Ward Chair Prem Rokaya and victim’s father Jokhan Chaudhary after he agreed to provide the victim with the medical treatment.
The police rearrested Ram Bahadur Chaudhary and his accomplices after the PMO ordered the district police to take strong actions against the culprits. The Provincial Police Office of Province-7 suspended Chief Sub Inspector of Police Dinesh Bista at the Sukkhad Area Police Office for forcing Radha Chaudhary to sign a reconciliation paper and releasing the culprit without taking proper actions.
At the Dhangadhi District Police Office, Inspector Indra Bahadur Malla said that the police arrested Ram Bahadur Chaudhary called Bhole Baba, Kishmati Chaudhary and Smarika Chaudhary and lodged a criminal case against them, the news on https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/cm-bhatta-visits-chaudhary-at-hospital-commits-to-take-strict-action-against-culprits/ stated.
