2063 B.S. and the various international human rights instruments, especially, the Convention on the child rights have been infringed? 3) Whether or not the order should be issued as prayed for by the petitioner? Now, considering the first question, it seems that the present writ petition has been filed in connection with the various Kumari customs prevalent in the three cities of the Kathmandu Valley, i.e., Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktpur. In the writ petition and the study reports, nothing has been mentioned about whether or not the Kumari custom is in practice outside Kathmandu valley. When we look at the beginning or the start of the custom of Kumari prevalent in the Kathmandu valley, there could be found no written historical document in this regard. No historical document such as a Trust document or ‘tamrpatra’ (copper plate inscription), ‘sanad’ (cricular) or ‘sawal’ (rule), etc, seemed to be mentioned in either of the study reports in connection with the question as to when the custom of Kumari started and in the regime of which ruler. It appears from the written replies, study reports and the opinions of experts on the custom of Kumari that this custom has remained in practice for many centuries as an inseparable part of the social, religious and cultural life of the Kathmandu valley and that the religious community following it has treated Kumari as a living Goddess. It also appears that Kumari, the family of Kumari and her relations feel proud due to the high respect shown by all the religious sects and the common people. Nonetheless, it seems that none was found to have been appointed as a Kumari either by compelling the concerned girl or her family or against their will. A thorough study of the writ petition and the reports presented by the Study Committee constituted by this Court and the petitioner shows the comparative state of the Kumaris of various places within the Kathmandu valley as follows: 118