The government, in new attempts to release Resham Lal Chaudhary of the Nagarik Unmukti Party, has recommended a presidential pardon on the occasion of Republic Day.

A meeting of the Council of Ministers, on Sunday, recommended the name of Chaudhary for pardon. Chaudhary has been sentenced to life in prison for his involvement in instigating a mob and launching premeditated attacks on police during the 2015 Tikapur incident. Seven police officials and a toddler were killed in the incident.

The Constitution of Nepal, 2015, Article 276 grants the president power to pardon, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court.

Multiple governments, including that of CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist) and Nepali Congress have made several attempts to release Chaudhary.

Earlier in December 2022, the caretaker government led by Nepali Congress had also decided to issue an ordinance to amend the criminal code which will clear existing legal hurdles to grant amnesty to anyone convicted of heinous crimes, particularly to Chaudhary. The amendment was, however, halted due to several backlash from the public.

Meanwhile, the Office of the President is studying the petition to pardon Chaudhary’s jail sentence.