TU challenged the decision of National Information Commission

The Tribhuvan University filed a writ petition on 11 November 2009 against the decision made by the National Information Commission (NIC). Last month the NIC had decided that students have the right to get a copy of answer sheet when result of examination is published.

In the writ petition filed by the Registrar of Tribhuvan University and Chairperson of Examination Board Mr. Bhimraj Adhikari, it is claimed that the decision of NIC is against the policy decision of government on maintaining the secrecy of examination and against the law. Similarly, TU had claimed that the answer sheet falls under the classified information according the to the classification made by the government and asked for stay order against the decision of NIC.

In a decision last month the NIC directed the TU to provide copy of answer sheet without revealing the name of examiner if a student apply for a copy before answer sheets are destroyed pursuant to TU regulation. NIC had interpreted that the right to information covers the right of the students to get copies of their answer sheet.
Under the education policy of Nepal there is no provision allowing students to get copy of their answer sheets. It seemed possible only after enactment of RTI Act 2007.

Baburam Bhattarai Files for Defamation

KATHMANDU, Nov 10: Vice-Chairman of Unified CPN- Maoist Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai has filed a defamation case at Kathmandu District Court against Tarun, accusing the weekly newspaper of publishing ´misleading´ material aimed at character assassination.

Tarun, which is close to the Nepali Congress, published an article accusing Bhattarai of involvement in a dirty game to become the next prime minister of Nepal under designs of India´s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Bhattarai said “Though we know that the existing judiciary is not effective, I moved the court as we had no option.”

The article written by Dirgha Raj Prasain under the heading “Let´s unmask and eliminate the traitors” (Desh Drohi Ko Biruddha Khaando Jagaaun) says “RAW wants Dr Babu Ram Bhattarai to be the next prime minister of Nepal by undermining parties like Nepali Congress and CPN-UML so that Nepal´s fate could be like that of Sikkim in the hands of Lendup Dorje”.

Bhattarai said he never played such a role against the country.

The writer, publisher and editor, assistant editor, managing director of Tarun are defendants in the case.

Bhattarai has sought maximum sentence under the defamation act. The act says offenders will be fined up to Rs. 5,000 and sentenced to jail for up to two years.

Prasain accused him of working against the national interest and serving Indian interests to become prime minister.