Extradition hitch keeps Kullu temple theft accused in Nepal

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News service

Shimla, August 3

Even after more than six months, the main accused in Raghunathji Temple theft in Kullu, Nar Prasad Jaisi, is out of reach of Himachal police. The efforts of the police for repatriation of Prasad, son of Lotya Jaisi, a resident of Kalika in Humla district in Nepal, have not yielded results as India has no extradition treaty with Nepal.

“We have been requesting the Home Department to pursue the matter but there has been little success so far as there is no extradition treaty with Nepal”, Director General of Police, Sanjay Kumar said. He said there were one dozen more such fugitives involved in serious crimes sheltering in Nepal. The ancient idol of Lord Raghunathji, Lord Hanuman, gold plated Narshinh Shila, silver idol of Lord Ganesh, gold chain and some other precious articles were stolen on the intervening night of December 9 and 10, 2014. The idols were recovered by the police on January 23 but the main accused had fled to Nepal by that time. The police was hopeful that Nepal being a friendly country, the deportation would not be difficult even though there is no extradition treaty but that did not happen.

As a large number of Nepalese are working as labourers in orchards, construction works, domestic help, guards and other menial jobs and their involvement in criminal activities was worrying the police as in most of the cases, the accused flee to their home state.

Former Advocate General Chhabil Dass, his wife and another relative was murdered by their Nepali servant 18 years ago but the accused is still in Nepal and has not been handed over to Himachal police.