- Thursday, 2 April 2026
Banke, April 2: Police in Banke have formed an investigation committee to probe the death of 22-year-old Sirjana Budha Magar, who died after being set on fire and found on a road in Koriyanpur, Nepalgunj-12.
According to Superintendent of Police Angur GC, chief of the District Police Office, Banke, a five-member committee has been constituted under the leadership of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Deepak Patali to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report. He said the committee will examine the facts and causes of the incident and present a comprehensive report.
“At around 11:35 pm on Saturday, Magar was found on the road in a severely burnt condition behind Nepalgunj Nursing Home,” police said. She was immediately taken to Bheri Hospital, where doctors declared her dead at 1:20 am during treatment.
Police said Magar was married and had a three-year-old daughter. Preliminary investigations indicate that she had been living in a live-in relationship with Mohammad Arif Dhapali for a long time. Dhapali, along with his mother and sister, has been taken into custody on suspicion of involvement in the incident. Police said Dhapali was arrested in Bahraich, India, while the others were detained in Nepalgunj.
Authorities have also stated that some other suspects are absconding and may have fled towards India. Search operations are ongoing.
Meanwhile, protests and demonstrations have been taking place almost daily in Nepalgunj, with growing public pressure for strict action against those responsible. Various organisations have submitted memorandums to Chief District Officer Dil Kumar Tamang, demanding a fair investigation and stringent punishment for the perpetrators.
Relatives of the deceased have also been staging protests since Sunday, demanding justice. Member of the House of Representatives from Banke-2, Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rai, has urged the police to conduct a serious and swift investigation and ensure strict legal action against those involved.
Expressing sorrow, he condemned the incident and called for the strongest possible action. Similarly, Lumbini Provincial Assembly member Ambika Kafle has demanded that those responsible be punished without exception.
DSP Patali, also spokesperson for the District Police Office, Banke, said a thorough investigation is being carried out from multiple angles to determine whether the case involves suicide or murder. He urged the public not to spread unverified information on social media that could incite communal tension and requested media outlets to confirm facts with the police before publication.
