Police reveal the identity of accused in Gairigaun quadruple murder case

Published On: September 18, 2023 11:30 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 18: The accused individual, Sanjay Bhandari from Sindhupalchok Barhabise Municipality, allegedly involved in the tragic murder of four individuals in Gairigaun, Tinkune, Kathmandu on Friday night, was arrested, with the police disclosing his identity on Sunday.

In a press conference held at the District Police Range Kathmandu on Sunday, the police officially disclosed the identity of the accused. Senior Superintendent of Police at the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, Somendra Singh Rathore, revealed during the press briefing that the police successfully located and arrested the suspect, who had fled the crime scene brandishing a Khukuri, with the assistance of CCTV footage.

Rathore explained, "Our investigation has unveiled that Bhandari, who has a speech impairment, had a prior altercation with Nabin Rai after being struck by a motorcycle driven by Rai in Chabahil some time ago. This dispute eventually escalated, leading to the tragic incident where Rai and three others lost their lives."

Following the quadruple homicide, the accused, Bhandari, sought refuge in Pepsicola, at a friend's residence. When he found the main gate locked at night, he resorted to climbing a tree to gain entry into the compound. However, upon not finding his friend there, he proceeded to another house, as detailed by Senior Superintendent of Police Rathore.

The police disclosed that Bhandari, driven by the fear of being identified, not only targeted Nabin Rai, with whom he had an ongoing feud but also took the lives of three other individuals. It is worth noting that the police obtained the statement of the murder accused Bhandari, who has been speech-impaired since birth, with the assistance of an interpreter.

The victims of the Friday midnight tragedy included 56-year-old Kumar Bhujel, a security guard at Divya Saw Mill; his 52-year-old wife, Ambika Bhujel; his 76-year-old mother, Subhadra Bhujel; and 20-year-old Nabin Rai, originally from Belbari in Morang district.