Prisoner death case: 12 people, including police officers, being investigated

Published On: August 20, 2023 10:53 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, Aug 20: An investigation has been started against 12 people, including some police officers, in the murder case of two prisoners inside Sankhuwasabha prison. The police and the other prisoners were involved in the murder of the prisoner.

The CCTV footage of the incident shows that some inmates along with some police officers and watchmen were involved in the incident. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Birendra Godar of District Police Office, Sankhuwasabha, mentioned that 12 people including some police officers are being investigated in the case of prisoner death.

DSP Godar said that the police officers and prisoners involved in the incident are being investigated by extending the deadline. He said that five policemen who were directly involved in the prisoner's death case have been recommended for departmental action.

On Sunday, August 13, the police started the investigation by extending the judicial remand of prison security in-charge Assistant Sub Inspector of Police (ASI) Lakshmi Chaudhary for five days. District Police Office Sankhuwasabha said that ASI Chaudhary’s remand was extended for another five days on Friday, while the other 11 people’s remand was extended for the first time.

DSP Godar said that further action will be taken against those involved in the incident based on the report of the investigation team.

After the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a five-member investigation team under the leadership of Kamal Prasad Pandey, director of the prison department. Based on the complaint made by the victim’s family, the District Court Sankhuwasabha gave permission for the arrest on August 13 against Acting Chief Rajendra Ghimire along with ASI Chaudhary.

After the incident, the police arrested nine prisoners including 10 policemen and watchmen who were assigned to guard the prison. Ghimire, the acting chief of the prison, has not been arrested yet.

Binod Tolangi, 20, of Sankhuwasabha Madi Municipality-5 and 28-year-old Akash Balami of Kakani Rural Municipality-7 of Nuwakot died on Wednesday morning due to beatings in the prison. There are currently 136 inmates in the prison, which has a capacity for only 25 people.