Archive ref no: NCA-18673
Document - Nepal: Further information on disappearance/Fear for safety: Laxmi Mudbari
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 31/26/00
29 August 2000
Further information on UA 107/00 (ASA 31/22/00, 5 May 2000) - Disappearance/Fear for safety
NEPAL Laxmi Mudbari (f), age 24
Amnesty International became concerned for Laxmi Mudbari’s safety when she was seen being taken away from prison by plainclothes police in a vehicle with a covered number plate immediately following her release on 23 April 2000. It now appears that she is safe and awaiting trial in Bharatpur Jail in the Chitwan district.
Laxmi Mudbari was initially arrested under the Public Offences Act on 31 January 2000, when she went to a meeting organized by the Akhil Nepal Mahila Sangh (Krantikari), All Nepal Women’s Association (Revolutionary), at Ram Janaki Mandir in Biratnagar town, Morang district. She was taken to the District Police Office in Morang and held in incommunicado detention for six days. She was subsequently imprisoned at Morang women’s prison because she was unable to secure bail at 28,000 rupees (US$394).
Laxmi Mudbari was released from prison on 23 April when her relatives paid the bail deposit, which had been reduced to 5,000 rupees (US$70) following an appeal to the Appellate Court. However, according to reports from reliable sources, she was immediately re-arrested under the Arms and Ammunition Act. Because she refused to pay a bail deposit of 6000 rupees (US$84), she was remanded at the Bhojpur prison, Bhojpur district. On 26 July she was reportedly transferred to Bharatpur Jail in the Chitwan district, where she currently awaits trial proceedings.
An official communication from the Nepalese authorities dated 4 August has confirmed that a case was filed against Laxmi Mudbari under the Public Offences and Penalties Act (1970) by the Public Prosecutor’s office in the Morang district on 25 January 2000.
No further action is needed. Thank you to all of those in the network who sent appeals.