Police said a 52-year-old man was allegedly beaten to death during a dispute at a rice-weaning ceremony in Kailali. His body was then taken to a nearby cliff and thrown over in an apparent attempt to hide what had happened.
The incident occurred on September 21 in Nigali, in Chure Rural Municipality-1. Yagya Bahadur Bohara had attended a pasni, or rice-weaning ceremony, for his relative’s grandson. He went missing after the event, prompting people to search for him.
His body was later discovered at the bottom of a cliff in Tulikhet forest. The Area Police Office in Malakheti said an initial investigation suggests Bohara was physically assaulted and died following an argument at the ceremony.
Police allege that those involved carried his body to the cliff and left it there to make his death look accidental. Eight people have been taken into custody in connection with the incident: ceremony host Dhan Bahadur Bohara, Man Bahadur Bohara, Govinda Bohara, Yagya Bahadur Bohara, Dilip Dhami, Ram Bahadur Bohara, Gambhir Bohara, and Tilak Jethara.
After the victim’s son filed a formal complaint, police opened a murder investigation. They are continuing to collect information and interview people to establish what happened.
Police believe the dispute began when Yagya Bahadur and Man Bahadur argued during the gathering. They had reportedly been drinking, and a disagreement from the previous day resurfaced over the alleged mistreatment of one of their wives. Tensions had been building before the argument escalated at the event.
The confrontation reportedly became violent, leaving Yagya Bahadur unconscious, police said. Investigators also found a video that appears to show him lying unresponsive after being beaten.
Police said some of those arrested told investigators that Bohara died at the scene and that they disposed of his body because they feared getting into trouble.
Investigators are also checking whether anyone else took part in the assault or helped dispose of the body.
The investigation is ongoing, with police examining the incident from different angles. DSP Hira Singh Mahara, head of the Area Police Office in Malakheti, has declined to share further details while inquiries continue.