Disciplinary Action Taken Against Police Inspector and Officer in Custodial Death Case

The investigation report concerning the custodial death of Shrikrishna Bik, found dead while in custody at Khurkot Police Station, Sindhuli, has been submitted to the Police Headquarters. The report recommends departmental action against Inspector Basanta Bhujel and Police Constable Arjun Singh, with Bhujel being transferred. Shrikrishna Bik was found hanging in the detention bathroom on the evening of 7th Baisakh and was declared dead by medical personnel. Kathmandu, 22nd Baisakh – The investigation report related to the suspicious death of Shrikrishna Bik while in custody at Khurkot Police Station, Sindhuli, has been submitted to the Police Headquarters. A five-member committee led by DIG Dineshkumar Acharya from the National Police Training Academy, Maharajgunj, was formed to investigate the case. DIG Avinarayan Kafle, the central spokesperson for the Nepal Police, informed that the report has also been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs. “We have received the report and forwarded it to the Home Ministry,” Kafle stated.

According to sources, the report recommends departmental actions against Inspector Basanta Bhujel of Khurkot Police Station and then-duty police constable Arjun Singh. Based on the recommendation, Inspector Bhujel has been transferred from Khurkot to the Bagmati Provincial Office. Additionally, the district police office has assigned another inspector to duty in Khurkot. Moreover, the report advises cautionary notices to 10 other police personnel stationed in Khurkot.

Following suspicions surrounding Bik’s death in custody, the police formed a committee to conduct further investigations. Police Inspector General Dan Bahadur Karki had formed the inquiry committee on 11th Baisakh. Members included SP Ravindra Nath Paudel from the UN branch, Inspector Indrajit Sunar of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Inspector Prem Regmi of the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, and Sub-Inspector Rajeshwar Devkota from the same office, under the chairmanship of DIG Acharya.

Shrikrishna Bik was rescued from hanging in the detention bathroom on the evening of 7th Baisakh and taken to Sindhuli Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Members of the National Independent Party (RASWAPA), including MPs Khagendra Sunar, Rima Bishwakarma, Sushma Swarnakar, Khima Bishwakarma, and Communist Party of Nepal (NCP) MP Ganesh Bik, protested outside the Sindhuli District Administration Office demanding a thorough investigation.

The committee finalized its report after conducting a viscera examination and a ‘whole body’ post-mortem of Bik.

What Happened?
Bik, who hailed from Khotang, had been in a romantic relationship for about two years with a teenage girl from Sindhuli. His partner had gone missing since 28th Chaitra. Her family filed a request at Satdobato Police Station on 30th Chaitra seeking her whereabouts.

According to police, on the afternoon of 3rd Baisakh, the missing girl and Shrikrishna Bik, accompanied by relatives, visited Satdobato Police Station. Relatives accused Bik of rape and filed a complaint. Upon inquiry, it was established that the girl was from Sindhuli and only 16 years old, so she was returned to Sindhuli on 4th Baisakh.

Subsequently, on 4th Baisakh, Bik was taken to Khurkot Police Station, where police initiated investigation into the rape allegation. On the evening of 7th Baisakh, around 6 pm, Bik was found hanging in the custody bathroom and rescued, but later declared dead.

RASWAPA MP Khagendra Sunar has accused that the girl was coerced into signing the rape complaint.