Maoist Leaders Yadav, Magar Jailed Under TADO

Kathmandu Oct 19-The Patan Appellate Court Wednesday remanded Maoist politburo leader Matrika Yadav and central leader Suresh Ale Magar to judicial custody in connection with their alleged involvement in the murder of then Inspector General (IG) of the Armed Police Force, Krishna Mohan Shrestha, in 2003.

A joint bench of justices Gyanendra Bahadur Karki and Laxman Mani Risal ordered their judicial custody after a close-door hearing on whether to grant them bail or to send them to judicial custody.

Police officials took the Maoist leaders to Nakkhu Jail, Lalitpur, after the court order. Advocate Surendra Mahato and nine other lawyers had argued from the defendants' side.

The Appellate Court had resumed recording the statement of the Maoist leaders on Tuesday. They were produced before the court for the first time on September 30.

Then on October 2, the court had postponed the hearing after Yadav gave ‘unwarranted’ statement regarding the charge against him. Another accused Ale Magar had during the first trial denied his involvement in the killing.

The Maoist leaders were arrested in India some 20 months ago and were handed over to Nepali authorities. Both remained in army custody throughout these months.

IGP Shrestha was gunned down - along with his wife and bodyguard - by Maoist assailants on the morning of January 26, 2003 in Kathmandu