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Section 177 of the National Criminal Code Act, 2017, states, “No one shall intentionally kill another person or engage in or cause any act that results in death.” However, on Friday, in the name of a pro-monarchy protest in the Tinkune area, a journalist filming the demonstration was killed by setting the building where he was in on fire. One protester also died.

The Annapurna Media Network (AMN) office was deliberately set ablaze while journalists and staff were working inside. Not only that, private homes were torched and commercial establishments looted. Government offices and vehicles were burned and destroyed.

Destruction was unleashed and criminal activities were carried out under the guise of protest. Legal experts state that seven different laws apply to those engaged in those criminal activities. These include crimes against the state, homicide, attempted murder, arson-related offenses, theft and robbery, and organized crime. 

Police are arresting those involved in the anarchic demonstrations held under the pretext of restoring the monarchy. Cases are being prepared against them. According to police, criminal incidents occurred in Kathmandu’s Tinkune area during a protest led by supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah even though permission was obtained for a peaceful demonstration under the coordination of Nawaraj Subedi and leadership of Durga Prasai. During the protest, private properties, hospitals, media houses, political party offices, business centers and vehicles were vandalized, set on fire, and subjected to other violent acts. During the protests, 52 Nepal Police personnel and 32 Armed Police Force personnel were injured. Thirty-five protesters injured in the course of the protests are receiving treatment in various hospitals.

Senior advocate Satish Krishna Kharel said that criminal acts appeared to have been committed by groups frustrated or dissatisfied with the current system. He said the police should collect CCTV footage and other evidence for investigation.  

Senior advocate Tikaram Bhattarai said violent actions in the name of demonstrations are unacceptable. “The participation of disorganized and anarchic mobs in the protest have led to disastrous consequences. This protest is against constitutional order and the entire constitutional system—it is a crime against the state,” he added. “Since former King Gyanendra Shah appears to have directed these activities, he should be held legally accountable.”

 Police have so far detained over 51 individuals accused of involvement in illegal criminal activities, with further investigations underway. Kathmandu District Police Range has informed the Parliament Secretariat that House of Representatives member Dhabal Shamsher Rana of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) has been arrested on criminal charges. Senior RPP leaders including Rabindra Mishra and Swagat Nepal have also been detained.  

Bhattarai said that the government must investigate crimes such as homicide, offenses against the state, destruction of public property, attempted murder and arson.  

The government is preparing to take strict legal action against those who damaged private residences, offices and other properties unrelated to the protest’s cause. Officials from the Office of the Attorney General said they are preparing to prosecute based on the most applicable charges, with at least half a dozen offenses likely to apply.  

Senior advocate Kharel, who is also a criminal law expert, said that the mob’s mentality was clearly riotous. “It appears that a group of individuals frustrated with the current system gathered. Evidence such as CCTV footage must be collected to file cases against each perpetrator accordingly,” he added. 

Potential charges   

Legal experts state that those who systematically attacked, set fires, vandalized, and looted media houses, public and private properties, offices, and businesses could face at least half a dozen charges. 

Charge no. 1: Crimes against the state  

The constitution mandates that every individual must abide by its provisions. Since the protest involved killing a journalist and attacking security personnel, it qualifies as a crime against the state. 

Charge no. 2: Homicide   

Section 183 of the National Criminal Code Act, 2017, criminalizes attempted murder with intent, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to Rs 100,000. 

Charge no. 3: Attempted murder  

If a life was not lost but the intent to kill existed, attempted murder charges can be filed. 

Charge no. 4: Arson-related crimes   

Protesters set vehicles on fire, including one belonging to a parliamentary official, and burned other properties. Authorities imposed a curfew in affected areas following increased arson incidents. 

Charge no. 5: Theft and robbery  

Protesters forcibly entered the Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Kotewshwar and looted mobile phones, clothing, alcohol and other goods. 

Charge no. 6: Organized crime  

Vandalism occurred at the law firm of advocate Raj Kumar Suwal. Protesters also stoned the home of CPN (Unified Socialist) Chairperson Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Senior advocate Bhattarai said the protest was against constitutional order and the entire constitutional system—a crime against the state. He said former King Gyanendra Shah should be held responsible for the incidents. 

The killing of a journalist and terrorizing the media, businesses and the public has been widely condemned. The Federation of Nepali Journalists, Nepal Bar Association, and Nepal Chamber of Commerce, among others, have demanded immediate legal action, compensation for damaged media houses, and enhanced security for journalists, lawyers and businesspersons. They have also called for a thorough investigation into the inhumane incidents and strict legal action against the perpetrators.

Palestinian officials say Israeli forces have killed at least 64 people, including children, in Gaza on the first day of Eid al-Fitr.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has recovered the bodies of eight medics, five civil defence workers and a UN employee, a week after their vehicles came under Israeli fire near Rafah in southern Gaza, Alzajeera reported.

As stated by Gaza's Health Ministry, Israel's war on Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 50,277 Palestinians and injured 114,095 others. About two months ago, Gaza's Government Media Office increased its death toll to more over 61,700, claiming that thousands of individuals missing under the debris are assumed dead, according to Alzajeera.

At least 1,139 individuals were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led strikes on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were kidnapped.

The toll from Myanmar’s earthquake continued to rise on Sunday, as foreign rescue teams and aid rushed into the impoverished country, where hospitals were overwhelmed and some communities scrambled to mount rescue efforts with limited resources.

The number of people killed in Myanmar's earthquake grew on Sunday as international rescue crews and relief supplies poured into the impoverished country, where hospitals were overcrowded and several villages were struggling to conduct rescue operations with little funding, Firstpost reported.

The 7.7-magnitude quake, one of Myanmar's largest in a century, rattled the war-torn Southeast Asian nation on Friday, killing around 1,700 people, injuring 3,400, and leaving more than 300 missing as of Sunday, according to the military administration.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, the junta head, cautioned that the death toll could grow, says to state media, three days after making a rare plea for foreign assistance, according to the Firstpost.

Myanmar's neighbours, India, China, and Thailand, have donated relief items and teams, as have Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia. However, inhabitants of Mandalay and Sagaing stated that international relief had yet to come, raising concerns about a serious food, electricity, and water shortage.

The United States pledged $2 million in aid “through Myanmar-based humanitarian assistance organizations” and said in a statement that an emergency response team from USAID, which is undergoing massive cuts under the Trump administration, is deploying to Myanmar.The military council has denied international journalists' requests to document the disaster, claiming a scarcity of water, electricity, and hotels, Firstpost reported.

According to the US Geological Survey's forecast modeling, Myanmar's death toll might eventually reach 10,000, with losses exceeding the country's yearly economic output.

Muslims across the country are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr with zest and zeal today.

The great festival of the Islamic community is being observed with great gaiety and gusto by reciting special Namaz, offering prayers in mosques, receiving blessings from the elders and giving blessings to juniors.

The festival marks the conclusion of a month-long fasting of the Muslims during the month of Ramadan, falls on the first day of the tenth month according to the Arabic calendar.

In Muslim religion, there are five pillars namely 'Roza', 'Zakat', 'Hajj', 'Namaz' and 'Kalama'.

On this day, Muslims devotees converge mainly in the mosque or any outdoor location in the early morning for Eid prayer and break their fast feasting on delicacies.

Families and friends gather to mark the end of a month-long fast 'Ramadan' and exchange Eid Mubarak (greetings) as well as gifts.

According to the National Census-2078, the Muslim community shares 5.9 percent of the total population of Nepal. Noting the data was incomplete, he said the commission was planning to study the social, economic, political, cultural and educational conditions of the Muslim community and submit the actual details to the government.

Although there is a mosque for Muslims in Kathmandu, it lacks spacious meeting halls to offer Namaz and for cultural activities together, he complained.