KATHMANDU, DEC 17 - Former Prime Minister and UCPN (Maoist) leader Baburam Bhattarai has expressed his commitment to do everything possible on his part to provide justice to Puja Bohara, a gang-rape victim, and make her wishes come true.

The Maoist leader claimed that for the first time in his life he burst into tears after reading “Bohora’s open letter to law minister” published in Kantipur daily.

UCPN (M) leader Bhattarai made such commitment in his facebook post after meeting Bohora at his residence in the Capital on Wednesday.

During Bhattarai’s stint as prime minister, Baitadi district convicted Bohara’s rapists and handed a 13-year sentence and Rs 50,000 fine on each of them. However, Mahendranagar Appellate Court on April 28 reversed the decision of the Baitadi district court.

The former prime minister wanted to meet Bohora after her open letter addressed to Law Minister Narahari Acharya was published on Tuesday, Bhattarai’s aide informed.

Bohora visited Bhattarai’s residence this morning.

"Probably for the first time in my life I burst into tears after reading the gang-rape victim Nepali daughter’s open letter published in Tuesday’s Kantipur daily. I was overwhelmed with emotion after she came to see me today and called me ‘Buwa’ (father). I felt proud when she expressed her desire to become a lawyer to help other women who are facing similar plight in their lives. I express my commitment to do everything to seek justice for her and help her pursue her dreams and I look forward for everyone’s support,” read Bhattarai’s post.

Bohara was raped in March 2012 while she was attending her School Leaving Certificate exams. Sagar Bhatta, one of the rapists, owned a book shop where Bohara had reached to buy sample papers. The other rapist was Amar Awasthi.

http://www.ekantipur.com/2014/12/17/top-story/pujas-letter-made-me-cry-bhattarai/399159.html