Lumbini lawmaker Rekha Sharma arrested over child labour allegation

Kathmandu, March 30

Rekha Sharma, a member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly, has been arrested.

A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office arrested her on Monday morning in Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu.

She has been accused of employing a minor as a domestic worker.

A case file recommending that charges not be filed against Sharma had been prepared at the District Government Attorney’s Office, Kathmandu, and forwarded through the High Government Attorney’s Office to the Office of the Attorney General.

During the rescue of the minor, officials from the metropolitan city police, ward representatives, and Nepal Police reached the site and prepared an official report.

The case

Some students working as interns at Kathmandu Metropolitan City were conducting a survey of children studying in community schools in Kathmandu who were living without their parents. During the survey at the school where the minor was studying, it was revealed that she had been made to work and subjected to labour exploitation.

The minor, who had been working at Sharma’s house for six years, said she was physically abused.

She alleged that the household (the family of provincial assembly member Rekha Kumari Sharma) beat her with hands and pipes and made her do household chores such as mopping floors, cooking, and watering plants.

She also complained that she had not been able to meet her family for six years and was not allowed to go home even during festivals like Dashain. During the examination of survey documents, the court also spoke with the minor confidentially. After signs of abuse were found, Kathmandu Metropolitan City filed a complaint with the police against Sharma.

Finding the minor in a vulnerable condition, a metropolitan task force immediately rescued her and placed her in a shelter home. During the rescue, metropolitan police, ward representatives, and Nepal Police were present at the site and documented the process.

After learning about the rescue, the girl’s father came to Kathmandu and filed a habeas corpus petition at the Supreme Court.

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