SURKHET: Family members of 16-year-old Inisa BK have demanded a fair and impartial investigation into her death after she was found unconscious and severely injured in a forest area near Sahid Park in Birendranagar Municipality, Surkhet, on March 7 (Saturday).

Her mother, Tila BK, discovered her daughter lying in a pool of blood in the Janjagaran Community Forest in Birendranagar-4 after receiving a phone call from an unknown number informing her that the girl was unconscious and asking her to come immediately. Inisa was rushed to Karnali Provincial Hospital, where doctors declared her dead shortly after arrival.

Police have taken four suspects into custody, including 16-year-old Anmol Gauli of Birendranagar-9, who was detained at the incident site. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohan Jung Budthapa, spokesperson for Surkhet District Police, three additional individuals were later taken into custody during the preliminary investigation.

During the preliminary investigation, authorities suspected that the teenager may have been raped before her death, though officials say the final conclusion will depend on detailed medical and forensic reports.

Mother found daughter unconscious in forest

The incident began on the morning of March 7, when Tila BK received a phone call from an unfamiliar number.

“Are you Inisa’s mother?” the caller asked before adding, “Your daughter is here unconscious. Please come immediately.”

The body of 16-year-old Inisha BK was found in the forest on March 7

Tila rushed to the forest area in Birendranagar-4, where she found her daughter lying motionless on the ground.

According to relatives who accompanied her, the girl had severe bleeding from her private part, her hair was disheveled, and her shoes and socks were scattered nearby. Family members immediately informed police after witnessing the scene.

A police team quickly arrived and transported the teenager to Karnali Provincial Hospital with the help of locals, but doctors declared her dead upon arrival.

Girl had left home for tuition

Inisa, originally from Badakholi in Gurbhakot Municipality-6 of Surkhet, had been living with her family in Birendranagar-1 for her higher studies. She was a Grade 11 student at Usha Bal Vatika Secondary School.

According to family members, she left home at around 6 AM, saying she had to attend extra classes.

“When her mother asked why she was going out early on Saturday, she said she had extra classes and would return soon,” said Rabin Mahar, Inisa’s uncle.

When she did not return home for hours, the family repeatedly tried calling her phone, but it was switched off. They later contacted the school and learned that she had not attended any class that day.

Shortly afterward, the family received the phone call informing them that the teenager had been found unconscious in the forest.

Investigation and medical findings

According to police, authorities were informed about the incident at around 9:15 am.

Hospital officials said the postmortem examination has been completed, while specialists from Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj are assisting in reviewing the findings. Medical samples have been sent for forensic testing, and a detailed report is expected after further analysis.

Preliminary medical findings indicate that the victim died due to severe injuries and excessive bleeding in the genital area, suggesting violent sexual contact, although the final cause of death will be confirmed only after complete forensic reports are received.

Relatives and family members of Inisa BK protested in Birendranagar on Wednesday to demand justice for the 16-year-old student

During questioning, suspect Anmol Gauli told investigators that he had physical contact with the girl and that she later became unconscious after heavy bleeding.

According to police, call records show that the suspect contacted three other youths at around 8:25 am, asking them for help after the incident.

Police detained one suspect at the scene and later apprehended three others during the investigation. All three individuals arrested later are minors under the age of 18.

Authorities have registered cases of rape and homicide against the suspects and have begun further investigation.

Family questions investigation

Inisa’s family has filed a formal complaint against four individuals, accusing them of rape and murder.

The body has remained at the hospital, as the family has refused to receive it, demanding legal action against those responsible.

The family has also expressed doubts about the hospital’s medical findings and demanded an independent investigation.

On Wednesday, Tila submitted a memorandum to the Surkhet District Administration Office, calling for a fair inquiry and strict punishment for those responsible.

Father arrives from Dubai

Inisa’s father, Indra Bahadur BK, has now arrived in Surkhet after traveling from Dubai, where he had been working.

The 40-year-old, a retired Nepali Army soldier, said he had gone abroad for employment to provide better education for his children.

Inisa’s father, Indra Bahadur BK

After visiting the location where his daughter was found, he alleged that the killing appeared to have been planned.

“It looks like my daughter was lured deeper into the forest from the park with different items and then killed,” he said. “I will not receive her body until my daughter gets justice.”

Indra Bahadur also questioned the role of the school, claiming the family later learned that the school had previously warned the boy involved and his family several times.

He said his daughter was a bright student who dreamed of becoming either a doctor or an army officer, a future that he believes has now been destroyed.

Protests and public reaction

Following the incident, protests have taken place in Birendranagar demanding justice and transparency in the investigation. Demonstrators have submitted memorandums to the District Administration Office and District Police Office.

Dalit and human rights activists gathered at Maitighar on Thursday to demand justice for Inisa BK. Photo courtesy: Nepal Photo Library

Similar protests were also held at Maitighar in Kathmandu and Tulasipur in Dang, where various organizations and students called for strict action against those responsible.

Karnali Province Chief Minister Yamalal Kandel met with the victim’s family and assured them that authorities would conduct a fair investigation.

Human rights organizations have also urged authorities to ensure an impartial investigation and to strengthen security measures to prevent violence against women and girls.

CIB and forensic teams join investigation

To ensure a comprehensive inquiry, the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has deployed a team to Surkhet.

According to Superintendent of Police Sudhir Raj Shahi, the CIB team led by an inspector arrived in Birendranagar after the District Police Office completed the initial phase of investigation.

Authorities have sent mobile phones belonging to the victim and suspects to a central forensic laboratory for analysis.

Meanwhile, a specialist team from the Karnali Provincial Police Office in Nepalgunj has also joined the investigation to conduct further technical examination of evidence and verify statements.

Police say the final conclusions of the investigation will depend largely on forensic and laboratory findings.