A Painful Tale: Lost Son a Decade Ago, Now Daughter Inisa

March 16, Surkhet – Near Radio Nepal in Birendranagar-1, Surkhet, stands a newly built single-story house with freshly painted walls and finishing touches. This home, constructed with the sweat of Indra Bahadur Bik in the scorching heat of Dubai, is more than bricks and cement – it was built to support his daughter Inisa’s dream of becoming a doctor. However, tragedy shadows this home, which now carries the repeated pain of losing his children. Where colors of joy were meant to flourish, the house is now drenched in sorrow.

The couple, Indra Bahadur and Tila, lost their 4-year-old son Isan ten years ago, and now, after a decade, they have also lost their 16-year-old daughter Inisa. After their son’s body was found dead in Bhaktapur in 2015 (2072 BS), in 2025 (2082 BS) Inisa was found dead at Surkhet Hospital.

“My daughter was very hardworking in her studies and dreamed of becoming a doctor from a young age,” Indra Bahadur said emotionally. “I worked hard, sweating in the Gulf region for her happiness, but now, the house built from my earnings stands empty without her.”

On the morning of March 23, Inisa was found unconscious in the Janjagaran Community Forest of Birendranagar. By the time she was rushed to the hospital, it was too late, and doctors declared her dead. The postmortem report confirmed death caused by severe bleeding following rape.

This pain is not new to Indra Bahadur. Exactly ten years ago, on April 12, 2015 (Baisakh 30, 2072 BS), he lost his 4-year-old son Isan in the ICU of Siddhi Hospital, Bhaktapur, after a prolonged high fever. At that time, Indra Bahadur was undergoing commando training with the army.

“When my son died, I prayed to God never to suffer such pain again,” he said tearfully, “but God was merciless, and now I have to see my daughter’s lifeless body again.”

Final Conversation with Daughter

After retiring from the Nepalese Army, Indra Bahadur could have taken rest, but to fulfill his daughter Inisa’s dream, he had to go to Dubai. His daughter’s eyes held the dream of becoming a doctor, but his pension could not support it. That’s why six years ago, he went to Dubai to earn his living as a security guard.

On the evening of February 5, Indra Bahadur had a video call with his daughter. They talked about her studies and ways she could progress. The next day, his phone was flooded with messages and missed calls. His brother, living in another country, told him, “Inisa is no longer in this world.”

Indra Bahadur said, “Upon hearing the news, my body trembled, and it felt as if life had left my heart.”

On March 24, he tried to fly from Dubai to Nepal but was unable due to regional conflicts shutting down airports. He spent two days at the airport and finally returned to Nepal via another city’s airport three days later. After arriving home late on March 27, he visited the crime scene the next morning to see his daughter’s body and met police to learn about the investigation.

Throughout the day, Indra Bahadur was surrounded by police, media, human rights activists, and various organizations; yet upon returning home in the evening, he broke down. Even during meetings, he felt lonely. Memories of his daughter’s childhood antics torment him.

His eyes constantly search for Inisa—in the room, kitchen, rooftop, yard, and the path in front of the house. “Sometimes it feels like she will suddenly jump out from behind somewhere and ask, ‘Dad, what time have you come?’” he expresses his profound sorrow.

To secure a bright future for his children, Indra Bahadur went to Dubai to work as a security guard. His wife, Tila, stayed in Birendranagar to support their daughter’s education. Inisa was a bright student, studying science in grade 11 and nurturing a dream of being a doctor.

“My pension was not enough to fulfill my daughter’s dream, so I took a secure guard job in Dubai,” he explained.

Inisa was sociable and intelligent, says teacher Indra Prasad Chapagain. “She maintained good relations with teachers and friends, and there were no complaints.”

Until recently, Inisa did not have a mobile phone, but two months ago her father gifted her both a phone and an iPad. Inisa preferred the iPad for easier studying rather than a phone.

According to Indra Bahadur, Inisa was not much aware of the outside world, whether in literature or sports. She focused primarily on home and school.

A Deep-Rooted Social Illness

Indra Bahadur wanted to protect his children from illiteracy, deprivation, caste discrimination, and oppression. “All the sufferings we endured, I worked hard in the Gulf so that my children wouldn’t face the same,” he recalls. “We had big dreams, but fate buried them in the ground.”

He fought poverty, caste discrimination, and financial hardship but was defeated by patriarchal and violent mindsets in society.

“We always kept our daughter happy and never let her feel any lack, but we forgot to show the ugly and distorted face of this society,” he regrets. “We should have clearly warned her that there is danger from anyone in this society at any time.”

What about the investigation?

The police arrested one suspect at the crime scene on March 23 and detained three more on March 24. All four accused are minors under 18 years old.

On March 25, the family filed a complaint against the four for murder and rape charges. The 16-year-old arrested youth stated in his testimony that death occurred due to severe bleeding caused when the victim’s virginity was broken.

Investigation Progress

Scientific police investigations are underway. A CIB team, polygraph experts, and analysts from Nepalgunj are involved actively. According to Superintendent of Police Sudhir Raj Shahi of the District Police Office, Surkhet, the teams arrived on Thursday and will soon conclude their findings.

The postmortem report confirms death by excessive bleeding due to damage to sensitive organs from forcible rape. Forensic and toxicology tests are ongoing.

Demand for Justice

Demonstrations demanding justice for the victim and strict punishment for the culprits are ongoing across the country. Various organizations and political party-affiliated groups are participating.

Inisa’s father has also demanded justice.

“There are attempts to interfere and tamper with the investigation from various quarters,” Indra Bahadur said. “We will not accept the body of our daughter until justice is served, and I have urged that those responsible be legally prosecuted.”