Suspicious Custodial Death of 22-Year-Old Man in Sindhuli Sparks Outrage

Kathmandu. The death of 22-year-old Shrikrishna BK, a resident of Imadol, Lalitpur, originally from Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-3, Jumidanda, Sindhuli, while in police custody has raised serious questions. After BK's body was found hanging from a toilet window at the Khurkot Area Police Office on Baisakh 7, his family and human rights activists have suspected a premeditated murder.

The Revolutionary Dalit Mukti Morcha Nepal has expressed grave concern over the incident, demanding an impartial investigation and action against those responsible. The background of the incident is linked to an inter-caste romantic relationship.

Shrikrishna, who had eloped with Nirjala Magar, a resident of Kathmandu originally from Khotang, was called by the Lalitpur District Police Office on Baisakh 3 for a settlement. However, the Lalitpur police took him into custody and sent him to Sindhuli, where a rape case was filed against him. While he was under investigation with a 5-day remand from the Sindhuli District Court, police claim BK died on the evening of Baisakh 7. Although the police stated he committed suicide using his own shirt, the victim's family has refused to accept this claim.

According to the deceased's mother, Bindamaya BK, Shrikrishna had told relatives who visited him in custody that police were subjecting him to physical and mental torture to force him to sign a confession for rape. Expressing complete distrust in the police's claims, Bindamaya stated that she was not even allowed to see the site where her son died. The victim's side alleges that he may have been framed with a heinous charge like rape due to his inter-caste marriage, leading to his death.

The Morcha argues that the incident is further shrouded in mystery because, while there was an option to file a child marriage case if the marriage was underage, the police chose to file a rape case directly. The question remains as to what influence or pressure led the police to register a rape charge, even when the girl's side insisted she left of her own free will and threatened to stay at the police station if a case was filed against the boy.

The death of a detainee inside a facility under 24-hour security has cast a major shadow over police security and intentions. The Revolutionary Dalit Mukti Morcha has stated that this is a blatant violation of human rights and the legal principle that no one can be considered a criminal until proven guilty.

The Morcha has strongly demanded that the government make the facts of this mysterious death public to ensure the rule of law and maintain public trust in the state. The victim's family has also warned that they will not remain silent until they receive justice and an independent investigation is conducted.