KATHMANDU, Dec 9: Probe into the accident of former Home Minister Madhav Ghimire has concluded that the mishap occurred after the vehicle lost control at a bend while attempting to dodge an incoming truck. 

The jeep, Ba 9 Cha 1531, carrying Ghimire and his family members had veered off from the bend known as a 'black spot' in the Mugling-Kurintar road section of Chitwan district. The family was returning to Kathmandu from Pokhara following a pilgrimage to Muktinath temple in Mustang. 

Home Ministry had launched an investigation into the accident to probe any criminal motives by forming a probe panel in the leadership of former Inspector General of Nepal Police (IGP) Kuber Singh Rana on 24th September. The panel submitted its report to Deputy Prime and Home Minister Bimlendra Nidhi on Thursday.  

The report has ruled out criminal motives in the accident stating that the Ghimire himself was driving the vehicle when the mishap occurred, Bal Krishna Panthi, spokesperson at the ministry said.

As part of the report, the panel has recommended the government to construct strong sidebars on such 'black spots' for minimizing accidents in the future, Panthi informed. 

Despite intense search, whereabouts of Ghimire and his brother Prakash remain unknown. The report was prepared on the basis of police investigation report, CCTV camera footage, statement from Ghimire's driver- sole survivor of the accident, among others informed Panthi, who was also a member of the probe panel. 

 
• madhav prasad ghimire