UML Provincial Lawmaker Rekha Sharma Arrested in Child Labor Case

Rekha Sharma, a provincial assembly member from Communist Party of Nepal (UML), has been arrested on charges of child labor exploitation.

A team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office detained her from her residence in Dhumbarahi on Sunday night. The arrest was confirmed by her husband, Chintamani Sharma.

Sharma is accused of keeping a minor girl as a domestic worker for an extended period and subjecting her to forced labor and confinement. The girl was rescued last year by a team from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, during which she alleged that she had been subjected to abuse.

At the time, the government led by K. P. Sharma Oli had decided not to pursue legal action. Following the incident, then Kathmandu mayor and current Prime Minister Balen Shah addressed the victim via social media, assuring that justice would be served in the future.

The victim has claimed that she worked in Sharma’s house for around six years and was subjected to physical abuse and mistreatment. Police have stated that further investigation into the case is ongoing.