By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Oct. 15: The Office of Attorney General (OAG) has said that cases of heinous criminal conduct like rape cannot be resolved without judicial proceedings on any ground.
Stating that news about agreements reached between the perpetrators and victims of rape cases, in presence of local representatives, had drawn the attention of OAG, Attorney General Agni Prasad Kharel, by issuing a press note on Tuesday, said that concluding agreements in criminal cases where the law does not permit is a criminal conduct in itself.
"The law defines rape as criminal conduct and the government will be the plaintiff in such cases. It is the legal duty of anyone knowing that this dreadful crime has occurred to inform the nearest police office, help in arresting the accused, rescue, protect and aid in the medical treatment of the victims," read the note. "Instead of attending these duties, if anyone is involved in concluding illegal agreement or compromise in cases of rape, s/he is publishable by law."
Crimes like rape, which shatters public morality, cannot be solved beyond judicial proceedings.
Kharel also requested everyone to remember the principle that ignorance of the law is no excuse. "Keeping the legal duty in mind, I believe the local representatives would actively help in investigation and justice delivery in cases of rape," he said. The OAG also expects help from the victims, civil society, local representatives and other stakeholders, Kharel added.
Moreover, the OAG has directed all government attorney offices to conduct awareness programmes against rape and sexual assault in coordination with the concerned police offices.  
The OAG itself will be campaigning to spread awareness about the role of citizens, civil societies and local representatives in investigation, accusation and justice delivery prescribed by the National Criminal (Code) Act, 2017 and National Criminal Procedure (Code) Act, 2017.
Kharel called the local levels to prioritise giving orientation to the local representatives about the investigation of crime and judicial proceedings.