NEPALGUNJ, April 18: Family members of a woman who was found dead under suspicious circumstances on Sunday have staged protests in Nepalgunj accusing a local politician of attempting to protect the ‘murderer’.

Seven months ago, Mukesh Budhachettri of Nepalgunj-10, Bhrikutinagar had tied the knot with nineteen-year-old Swastika Limbu of Hawaldarpur in Kohalpur after a brief affair. But on Sunday, Swastika was found dead inside her room. As per the statement recorded by Mukesh, his wife committed suicide following a dispute that erupted “after she decided to visit her parental home.”

However, the kin of the girl have accused the in-laws of beating their daughter to death. Even though police have arrested Mukesh, the kin of the deceased alleged that the local politicians are trying to release the suspect. On Tuesday, agitating family members and relatives submitted a memorandum to the District Police Office (DPO), Banke demanding justice for Swastika, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Prakash Sapkota, spokesperson of the DPO.

“Family members and relatives of the deceased have been regularly staging protests demanding stern action against the culprit,” said Sapkota, adding,”Police have already registered the case and have started investigation. But the family members are still continuing their protests.” 
But post mortem of the body has yet to be conducted as Swastika’s father is abroad and has yet to return home.

Swastika’s family members have alleged that a lawmaker and leaders of the ruling Nepal Communist Party are pressurizing the police to release Mukesh. Mukesh is a grandson of lawmaker Nandalal Rokka, who was elected to the federal parliament from Banke constituency 3. Rokka had visited the District Administration Office on Monday.

As he reached there, irate family members started demonstrating accusing him of putting pressure on the administration to release Mukesh. According to police officials, the visit by the lawmaker has added fuel to the controversy. However, police have promised stern action against anyone found guilty.
 

 
• woman
 
• accused
 
• protest
 
• murder