Mr. Ajay Shankar Jha "Rupesh"
Executive Director
Mr. Ajay Shankar Jha "Rupesh" is the Executive Director of PDS-Nepal. Mr. Jha joined ILF-Nepal in 2008 after working for eight years as a private advocate. Besides providing direct legal representation as a trained defense lawyer, Mr. Jha is also actively involved in conducting a series of training to defense lawyers of Nepal. Mr. Jha has provided his expert suggestions on the draft handbook named "Early access to legal aid in criminal justice processes: a handbook for policymakers and practitioners", developed by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). And had also provided his expert view on the draft of "Model Law on Legal Aid in Criminal Justice System", developed by (UNODC). Jha has also served as the Chairman of the Janakpur Youth Club and was a founding member of the Mithila People Service Council. He obtained his Bachelor’s in Law from Tribhuwan University in 2000 & Legisum Laterum Masterom (LLM) in Criminal Law & Justice from Purbanchanl University and is a member of the Nepal Bar Association. Mr. Jha can be reached at Email : ajharupesh@pds-n.org or Contact : +977 - 9844021860
Neha Maharjan
Finance Director
Ms. Neha Maharjan started her career in ILF-Nepal in March 2016 as Finance and Admin Associate. She is currently working as Finance Director in PDS-Nepal. Ms. Maharjan who has an experience of 7 years in the field of finance works on budgeting, reporting, dealing with the donors, auditors and vendors. She has a degree in ACCA. Due to Ms. Maharjan's sheer dedication and hard work, PDS-Nepal's financial management and book keeping has been acknowledged as the best and clean among ILF country offices by New York based auditor. Ms. Maharjan has actively participated in various training programs on finance including Governance Facility's training related to Tax, audit and other relevant internal control system. Ms. Maharjan can be reached at nmaharjan@pds-n.org
Bimala Yadav
Senior Attorney In-charge
Ms. Bimala Yadav is one of the senior staff members of PDS-Nepal. Ms. Yadav who joined ILF-Nepal as an advocate in 2008 now holds the position of Senior Attorney In-charge in PDS-Nepal. Having 15 years of experience as a lawyer Ms. Yadav has played an important role in transferring the jurisdiction of Chief District Officer to the Court. Besides providing direct legal counselling to clients on behalf of PDS-Nepal, she also supervises other lawyers working in the office. Holding weekly meetings with lawyers, visiting detention center, supervising case intake, holding meetings with AICs on monthly basis and informing supervisor and Executive Director about the problems and outcomes are some of her core responsibilities. Ms. Yadav has participated in various training programs including International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, Legal Literacy Program, TOT, Advance Training on International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law etc. Ms. Yadav can be reached at byadav@pds-n.org
Kamal Bahadur Ghising
Attorney In-charge
Mr. Kamal Ghising who joined ILF-Nepal in 2010 as a Paralegal Officer currently holds the position of Attorney In charge of Eastern Region. Mr. Ghising has a post graduate degree in Victimology from TOKIWA University MITO SHI, Japan. Besides providing direct legal service on behalf of PDS-Nepal, Mr. Ghising also supervises other lawyers of PDS-Nepal of Eastern Region. Mr. Ghising's other responsibilities include assigning duties to lawyers, monitor the detention center, supervise case intake process, observe and ensure that pre-charge petitions are timely filed by lawyers, encourage lawyers to conduct timely defense investigation, participate in meetings, seminars, workshops and training on behalf of PDS-Nepal. Mr. Ghising can be reached at kghising@pds-n.org
Dev Raj Pant
Attorney-In-Charge/Advocate
Mr. Dev Raj Panta who joined ILF-Nepal in 2010 as an Advocate currently holds the position of Attorney In Charge of Far Western Region. Mr. Panta has seven years of experience in legal field. His duties and responsibilities include assigning court duties to his fellow lawyers, monitor detention center visits made by lawyers, supervise case intake process, and observe and ensure that pre-charge petitions are filed on time by lawyers in his region. Besides these, Mr. Panta also coordinates schedules activities of lawyers so as to ensure time bound performance, encourages lawyers to conduct timely defense investigation, and holds active participation in monthly attorney in charge meetings. Mr. Panta's skills and expertise in legal field has helped to win many acquittals for PDS-Nepal especially in cases of Habeas Corpus. Mr. Panta has attended numerous training, workshops and seminars organized by PDS-Nepal and other organizations. Mr. Panta can be reached at dpant@pds-n.org
Bir Bahadur Khadka
District Director/Advocate
Mr. Bir Bahadur Khadka, from Banke district joined ILF-Nepal in 2009 and currently he is working as a District Director/Advocate in PDS-Nepal. Besides providing direct legal service on behalf of PDS-Nepal, Mr. Khadka also supervises other lawyers of PDS-Nepal of Western Region. Mr. Khadka's other responsibilities include assigning duties to lawyers, monitor the detention center, supervise case intake process, observe and ensure that pre-charge petitions are timely filed by lawyers, encourage lawyers to conduct timely defense investigation, participate in meetings, seminars, workshops and trainings on behalf of PDS-Nepal. Mr. Khadka has actively participated in various training provided by ILF-Nepal and other organizations. He has successfully won many acquittals for PDS-Nepal. Mr. Khadka can be reached at bkhadka@pds-n.org
Dilip Kumar Mandal
District Director/Advocate
Mr. Dilip Kumar Mandal is from Dhanusha, Janakpur who started his career in ILF-Nepal as an Advocate and currently holds the position of District Director/Advocate in PDS-Nepal. Mr. Mandal has been actively working in Dhanusa district providing legal service to indigent people of Dhanusha district on behalf of PDS-Nepal. Mr. Mandal's expertise lies on defense investigation, drafting, cross examination and examining the witness. Mr. Mandal has attended various training programs, workshops and seminars that has enhanced his capacities and performance. Mr. Mandal, through his sheer hard work and understanding has won many acquittals for PDS-Nepal. Mr. Mandal can be reached at dmandal@pds-n.org
Rajendra Prasad
Advocate
Mr. Rajendra Prasad joined ILF-Nepal as an Advocate in 2011. Mr. Prasad has nine years of experience as defense lawyer. Prior to joining ILF-Nepal, Mr. Prasad also worked as facilitator for Kathmandu School of Law in Public Awareness Program for Re-Construction of Local Authority in the context of Federalism in Nepal. Similarly, Mr. Prasad has also conducted a research study on 'Juvenile Justice System in Nepal' funded by Child Rights Research and Resource Center. Likewise, he has been trained as a Baitanik Wakil in defending criminal litigation organized by Nepal Judicial Council. Mr. Prasad has won many acquittals for PDS-Nepal through his hard work, dedication, skillful presentation and perseverance . Mr Prasad can be reached at rprasad@pds-n.org
Achyut Upreti
Advocate
Mr. Achyut Prasad Upreti who joined ILF-Nepal as a Paralegal Officer in 2014 is currently working as an Advocate in PDS-Nepal. Visiting detention centers for case intake and taking initial interviews of the accused, preparation of a case and filing of applications, getting court dates and skillful presentation and pleading before the court are some of the key duties and responsibilities carried out by Mr. Upreti. He has had significant achievements so far as he has successfully won numerous cases of Habeas Corpus in his region. Mr. Upreti is very keen to learn and sharpen his skills and therefore has actively participated in many training provided by PDS-Nepal and other organizations so far. Mr. Upreti can be reached at aupreti@pds-n.org
Mangala Pandey Chapagain
Advocate
Ms. Mangala Pandey Chapagain started her career as an Advocate with ILF-Nepal in 2016. Ms. Chapagain who has vast experience as a defense lawyer, provides direct legal representation to the accused, and is also involved in dealing with official works of PDS-Nepal in Bhairahawa. Ms. Chapagain has great expertise on defense investigation, case drafting, cross examination of the witness and she is a skilled pleader. Ms. Chapagain has actively participated in various training, workshops and programs that have indeed polished and improved her skills and capacities. Ms. Chapagain can be reached at mpandey@pds-n.org
Sunil Kumar Karna
Advocate/District Director
Mr. Sunil Kumar Karna from Biratnagar joined PDS-Nepal in 2017 as an Advocate. Though he is new to PDS-Nepal team, he brings along with him some 20 years of experience in the legal field. Mr. Karna has successfully won acquittals in numerous cases like murder, attempt to murder, rape, human trafficking and drugs. Mr. Karna has undergone various training, workshops and seminars that has enhanced his performance, skills and capacities. His method of preparing before a case and his presentation skills in the court are of outstanding standard. Mr. Karna works in Biratnagar. Mr. Karna can be reached at skarna@pds-n.org
Rishi KB
Advocate
Mr. Rishi K.B. is a newly appointed Advocate for PDS-Nepal's Hetauda office from December 2017. Mr. K.B., who has participated in various trainings, seminars and workshops to enhance his skills and capabilities. Currently, he is being nurtured and trained by Senior Lawyers of PDS-Nepal in Kathmandu. Mr. K.B. can be reached at rkb@pds-n.org
Nabal Kishor Sah
Paralegal Officer
Mr. Nabal Kishor Sah joined ILF-Nepal in 2016 as a Paralegal Officer. Visiting courts and quasi-judicial bodies to obtain copies of case files, find out court dates, visit detention center, and follow up with witness dates are some of his core duties and responsibilities. Besides these, Mr. Sah makes himself present on the day of remand, manages file system in PDS-Nepal office and also does other officials works as and when necessary. Mr. Sah has attended various training organized by PDS-Nepal and other organizations that has improved his performance over the years. Mr. Sah can be reached at nsah@pds-n.org
Kiran Ranjitkar
Receptionist/Office Aid
Mr. Kiran Ranjitkar, joined ILF-Nepal in 2016 as a Messenger. Visiting the bank, tax office, delivering of letters, visiting vendors, getting stationery and other necessary items for office are some of the responsibilities carried out by Mr. Ranjitkar. He is also responsible to look after the repairs and maintenance of the office and its premises.