The High Court in Biratnagar has been facing difficulties in carrying out its work due to the arson attack and the theft of many computers.
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On Bhadra 24, protesters set fire to the High Court building in Biratnagar, burning down priceless records of judicial history in the Chief Justice's quarters, guest house, and the office of the bench officer. The burnt building has now been painted and the High Court has resumed its services.
According to the court's information officer Santosh Pokharel, all the records kept under protection since 2010 have been completely destroyed in the arson. He said, 'The history of old cases, citizens' land ownership papers, precedents and even judgments have become ashes.' In the records branch alone, 3,234 records have been completely destroyed, while only 1,400 records have been saved.
Even though the High Court has brought all its services into operation, it is facing difficulties due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and equipment. According to Pokharel, five court cars, a jeep and a motorcycle were also destroyed in the fire. Many of the court's computers have been stolen, making it difficult to perform work. According to the assessment made by the court so far, there has been material damage worth Rs 36.5 million.
This court building, which was inaugurated by the then Chief Justice Damodar Prasad Sharma on Baisakh 16, 2071, has now been damaged by fire. After general repairs and painting, work has even started from the same burnt building. However, Information Officer Pokharel says, ‘This work is not easy. It is difficult to reopen old cases due to lack of records.’
According to Binod Timsina, Secretary of the Nepal Bar Association High Court Branch, the arson in the court has pushed the judicial process back decades.
The legal documents, old judgments and case files kept safe in the Biratnagar High Court since 2010 were not just administrative materials, they were also witnesses to the country’s judicial history. With all of them reduced to ashes, evidence and precedents related to the legal rights of citizens have also been lost.
