Two brothers stabbed to death in Lalitpur following phone dispute

Kathmandu. Two individuals have been killed in a stabbing incident at the Krishna Mandir premises in Lalitpur Metropolitan City-12. The victims have been identified as 33-year-old Sumit Nembang and 25-year-old Srijan Nembang, originally from Kamal Rural Municipality-6, Jhapa, and currently residing in Imadol, Lalitpur.

They were biological brothers. Police investigations conclude that the murders were the result of a dispute that escalated after a misdialed phone call.

On Chait 25, around 12:00 PM, the Nembang brothers and two others, including an uncle, were visiting the Patan Durbar Square area. During the visit, Sumit accidentally dialed the wrong number, reaching Sanjeev Nepali, alias 'Sanju', who resides in Bholdhoka, Lalitpur Metropolitan City-9. A verbal altercation ensued, which continued throughout the day.

At approximately 7:00 PM, Sanjeev called Sumit to ask his location. Upon learning they were at Mangalbazar, Sanjeev arrived on a scooter accompanied by 21-year-old Gagan Sunar, a native of Nawalparasi residing in Subahal, Lalitpur-8. The groups met at the Krishna Mandir premises, where the argument resumed.

As the dispute intensified on the temple steps, Sanjeev brandished a meat-cutting knife. During the ensuing struggle, Sanjeev stabbed Sumit in the abdomen. When Srijan attempted to intervene, he was also stabbed in the neck and abdomen. Both brothers collapsed at the scene.

Lalitpur District Police Range SSP Hobindra Bogati stated that police arrived at the scene within three minutes of receiving the report. Sanjeev, who worked at a meat shop in Bholdhoka, was apprehended by a police officer while attempting to flee into a restaurant. The victims were rushed to B&B Hospital, where they were declared dead.

SSP Bogati noted that the incident occurred at 7:40 PM and appears to have been driven by sudden rage and provocation. Sumit had been preparing to travel to London, a journey now permanently cut short by this fatal encounter.