Since Nepal’s accession to the Convention against Torture in 1991, AI has received reports that torture is still used in police custody, both to obtain information or confessions and possibly, on occasions, to punish political prisoners. AI is concerned by reports that detainees are sometimes unlawfully held incommunicado beyond the legal limit. The use of habeas corpus in such cases is discussed, with reference to the case of 26-year-old businesswoman Teelu Ghale, who was held incommunicado and allegedly tortured. AI is concerned about the apparent lack of any independent investigation into recent allegations of torture and of criminal proceedings against alleged torturers. Also discussed is the draft Torture Compensation Act 2050, introduced in 1993.
