Police investigate suspicious death of woman in Nepalgunj as family demands justice

Butwal. Police have sent materials for further investigation to the Police Forensic Laboratory in Kathmandu regarding the death of Sirjana Budhamagar, who died after being burned on the night of Chait 14 in Nepalgunj, Banke.

According to DSP Deepak Patali of the District Police Office, Banke, items including the mobile phones of the deceased Sirjana and her boyfriend, Arif Dhapali, have been sent for lab testing. Police hope the report will assist in the ongoing investigation.

Sirjana's body, found burned in Koreanpur, Nepalgunj-12, remains at Bheri Hospital.

The victim's relatives allege she was murdered by being doused with petrol and have refused to claim the body, demanding strict action against the perpetrators. Police state they are investigating the incident from multiple angles to determine if it was a murder or another cause.

DSP Patali emphasized that the investigation is proceeding based on evidence and facts, and will not be influenced by any pressure. Ten days after her death, the family's refusal to accept the body has heightened local concern.

Boyfriend's family in custody: Preparations for third remand extension

Sirjana's body was found burned in Koreanpur on the night of Chait 14. Police are preparing to seek a third remand extension for the arrested suspects. Sirjana was taken to Bheri Hospital after being found burned around midnight on Chait 14, but was declared dead at 1 a.m. on Chait 15. The post-mortem report indicates she was doused with petrol and set on fire.

Sirjana, who lived in a rented room in Nepalgunj-8, Ranitalau, was found about 50 meters from the house of Arif Dhapali, with whom she was in a living-together relationship. Police initially faced difficulty identifying the body. Relatives have accused Arif of murdering her.

Their relationship was reportedly strained for a long time. The day before the incident, police had intervened following a dispute, but the tragedy occurred that same night.
Following the incident, angry relatives attempted to attack the accused's home. They have filed a formal complaint against six individuals, including Arif.

Arif, who fled to India after the incident, has been arrested. His mother, sister, and a minor are also in custody for investigation. Police are searching for two other absconding suspects.

DSP Patali stated that the suspects' remand has been extended twice, and a third extension is planned for Chait 27. He added, 'Investigation into the arrested individuals is ongoing. Detailed facts will be made public only after the investigation is complete.'

Demands for justice echo from Provincial Assembly to the streets

The case has sparked outrage in both the Provincial Assembly and the streets. Lawmakers in the Lumbini Provincial Assembly have raised the issue strongly, while citizens and activists demand strict action against the culprits.

In the Provincial Assembly, lawmaker Sushila Badi condemned the incident as heinous and inhumane, urging the government to take serious action. She emphasized that there should be no delay in controlling violence against women and demanded strict punishment for the guilty.

Lawmakers had previously drawn the government's attention to the case. Lawmaker Ambika Kafle demanded legal amendments to provide harsher punishments, suggesting that the death penalty might be necessary to curb violence against women.

Similarly, lawmaker Chandrakesh Gupta stated that the government must be more responsible in preventing such heinous crimes.

In Nepalgunj, Sirjana's relatives, activists, and locals have repeatedly protested, demanding a fair investigation and severe punishment for those involved, asserting that her boyfriend was responsible for the crime.