Ganesh Nepali’s body still unclaimed three days after self-immolation

Kathmandu, July 12

The body of Ganesh Nepali of Mugu, who self-immolated, has not been handed over for three days. Nepali, 25, a resident of Soru Rural Municipality-1 in Mugu, has his body currently kept at TU Teaching Hospital. On Thursday, he had set himself on fire in front of the Department of Passports at Tripureshwor.

It is reported that Nepali took the extreme step after a dispute with the metropolitan police over a wheel lock on his motorcycle. Video footage of the dispute has also surfaced, showing the disagreement over the wheel lock with the police.

Critically injured from the self-immolation attempt, he died the next day during treatment at Bir Hospital. But his body has not been released for three days.

His elder brother, Madan Nepali, and his parents have come to Kathmandu to demand justice. However, no agreement has been reached so far. Talks continued from Saturday night until 7 AM Sunday, but administrative sources said the discussions ended without any conclusion.

“Talks for an agreement went on from last night until 7 this morning, but no agreement could be reached. They kept making various excuses, so nothing was settled. There’s no clarity on when talks will resume,” the source said.

The deceased’s father is also in Kathmandu now, demanding justice. His brother Madan had been staying in Kathmandu as well. The family says they are currently being kept without any means of contacting anyone.

They are being kept in an empty building near the CDO office. Madan says they haven’t even been allowed to contact people outside.

“We’ve been kept in Baburmahal. We’re not even allowed to go outside. We’re under security watch. They say they’ll hold talks,” Madan told OnlineKhabar.

This morning, some representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office reportedly came to meet the family, but no agreement was reached, according to the victim’s family. Administration officials, meanwhile, say another round of talks is planned. Ganesh’s body remains unclaimed as the government and the victim’s family have yet to reach an agreement.