Kathmandu District Court makes Covid-19 test compulsory before entering court premises

23 June, Kathmandu:

The Kathmandu District Court on Monday made it compulsory to undergo a coronavirus (Covid-19) test before entering the court premises.

Judge Shreekrishna Bhattarai made this rule compulsory for the authorities to carry out the COVID test of any detainee or inmate before they are brought to the court for trial by the police.

On Monday, the court refused to hear a cybercrime case as the accused hadn’t been tested for Covid-19.  Ek Ram Rai, who was arrested a few days ago, was taken to the court with the report of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) on Monday. The court did not accept the RDT test for the trial.

Aanandra Shrestha, a court staffer, says the hearing will take place only after the attorney’s office submits his PCR negative report.

The court made the Covid-19 test through  the PCR mandatory, stating that those who enter the courtroom without COVID-19 test may increase spread of the virus.

Court has also said that the government should conduct PCR tests of suspects, security personnel and other staffs involved in the prosecution process