KATHMANDU: Following the death of Shreekrishna BK on April 20 while in the custody of the Area Police Office in Khurkot, Sindhuli, further testing will be conducted as the initial autopsy failed to determine the cause of death.

Since the post-mortem report from Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu remained inconclusive, a viscera test will be performed for a detailed investigation.

BK, a 23-year-old resident of Sunkoshi Rural Municipality-3, Sindhuli, was being held in Khurkot police custody for investigation into a rape case. According to the police, on the evening of April 20, he was found hanging by his shirt inside the custody toilet. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. He had been arrested on April 17 in Satdobato, Lalitpur, on charges of raping a 16-year-old minor from Khotang, after which the police sent him to Sindhuli.

The family of the deceased alleges that a rape case was filed because of an inter-ethnic marriage and that BK died due to beatings and torture in custody.

An inquiry committee, coordinated by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dinesh Kumar Acharya, is currently investigating the incident. The committee has inspected the custody cell and held discussions with the family of the deceased, relatives, the minor’s family, human rights activists in Sindhuli, and representatives of civil society. On Thursday, the committee spoke with BK’s mother, Bindamaya. She stated, “The police investigation team questioned me. I have provided all the information I know. I hope the committee brings out a report based on the truth.”

The committee, formed on April 24, was mandated to submit its report within seven days, a deadline that expires on May 1. A member of the committee mentioned that they intend to request an extension of a few days as the investigation is ongoing and the detailed post-mortem and viscera reports are still pending.

CCTV footage missing

The inquiry committee has not yet received the CCTV footage of the custody cell. A committee member stated that despite requesting the footage from the day of the incident, the Area Police Office in Khurkot has not provided it.

Relatives of the deceased and Dalit rights activists have been protesting, demanding an impartial investigation, punishment for the guilty, and the public release of the CCTV footage. On April 23, activists and Members of Parliament from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) staged a sit-in at the gate of the District Administration Office, Sindhuli, demanding justice. They remained at the protest site throughout the night.

In response, Inspector General of Police Dan Bahadur Karki formed a five-member committee on April 24 under the leadership of DIG Acharya from the National Police Academy, Maharajgunj, to investigate the incident.

Refusal to register complaint

The victim’s family complained that the District Police Office, Sindhuli, refused to register a First Information Report (FIR) naming specific individuals in connection with the custodial death. According to the victim’s side, the District Government Attorney’s Office in Sindhuli also refused to take the complaint. On April 28, the family visited the police station accompanied by legal practitioners from the Advocacy Forum to file the report. After the refusal, BK’s mother, Bindmaya, sent the complaint via mail.

Many Dalit youths continue to face legal cases and police detention due to inter-ethnic marriages. Following the death of Shreekrishna BK while under investigation for a rape charge, the grieving family awaits justice through an impartial inquiry.