Four arrested in Phidim following discovery of youth's body

Biratnagar. Following the discovery of a youth's body in Phidim, Panchthar, police have arrested four individuals on suspicion of murder and initiated an investigation.

The body of Gyanendra Acharya (Gyanu), who worked at the Green Valley Fresh House in Phidim, was found hanging in the old house of the shop owner, leading to the detention of the proprietor and three others.

According to Police Inspector Ramchandra Sah, spokesperson for the District Police Office, Panchthar, the detainees include shop owner Ramesh Khatri and Sanjay Limbu. The identities of the other two detainees, who are minors, have been withheld.

The arrests were made based on a formal complaint filed by the victim's father. All four individuals are being investigated for homicide. Following the registration of the complaint, the court has granted a 10-day remand for the adults and a 5-day remand for the minors to facilitate the investigation, Sah stated.

Inspector Sah noted that Gyanendra had been missing since the 15th. After he disappeared, his father and shop owner Ramesh Khatri had jointly filed a missing person report on the 17th.
During the search, Gyanendra's body was discovered on the 22nd in a locked room of Khatri's old house. The victim and the other workers had been living in one room of the house, while the body was found in an adjacent room.

Police described the crime scene as highly suspicious. Inspector Sah stated that the door to the room was padlocked from the outside. However, both the padlocked door and the rear window were also bolted from the inside. Police had to break the external padlock and unlatch the internal bolt to enter the room.

Upon arrival, police estimated the body had been there for 5-6 days. Due to decomposition, the presence of maggots, and skin discoloration, external injuries were not immediately visible. The exact cause of death will be determined following the post-mortem report.

While rumors have circulated regarding a potential out-of-court financial settlement, police have refuted these claims. 'A formal complaint for a serious crime like homicide has been filed, and the suspects are in custody under judicial remand. The investigation is proceeding strictly according to the law. We are committed to the legal process, and there is no question of a settlement,' he stated.

The District Police Office, Panchthar, stated that a thorough investigation is underway, and the truth will be revealed based on the post-mortem report and further statements.