BARAHATHAWA (SARLAHI), July 23: Sarlahi police have recovered a blood-stained homemade axe from near the location where former minister of state Ram Chandra Rai was killed.

According to District Police Office Sarlahi Spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Deepak Shrestha, the axe was found in a bamboo bush 50 meters northwest of the crime scene. The police suspect that this weapon, covered in blood, may have been used in the murder of Rai.

DSP Shrestha confirmed that the investigation into the identity of those involved is ongoing. "We found a domestic weapon, an axe, near the scene of crime," he said. "We suspect it was used in the murder and are actively investigating."

The 80-year-old former minister, a resident of Malangawa Municipality-4, was killed with a sharp weapon on Sunday night at his farmhouse in Chandranagar Rural Municipality-1. His body was discovered on his bed.

According to a statement from a young man who was assisting Rai, three unknown individuals visited Rai on the night of the murder. It is reported that they had unresolved land disputes with Rai. The police suspect that these individuals may have known Rai and that he was likely familiar with them. Following the incident, the police have initiated an investigation with the aid of a trained dog.

Rai, who served as Minister of State for Land Management with the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) 30 years ago, had two sons and five daughters. The family stated that he had recently traveled to Sarlahi to work on his farm, having lived in Kathmandu with his family. Locals noted that Rai frequently visited his farm in Chandranagar Rural Municipality-1.

DSP Shrestha indicated that the District Police Office Sarlahi and Madhesh Province Police Office are conducting a thorough investigation. Rai's body has been taken to Malangawa Provincial Hospital for a post mortem.

 
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