Rejected love proposal leads to murder of 18-year-old Sushma, accused arrested

KATHMANDU: Authorities have apprehended the suspect responsible for the killing of Sushma Lama, whose body was discovered buried in the forest of Shivapuri National Park in Tarebhir, Gokarneshwar Municipality Ward No. 3 of Kathmandu.

Sushma Lama, an 18-year-old resident of Ward No. 3 Tarebhir, Gokarneshwar Municipality, Kathmandu, had been reported missing since Magh 22 (Feb 5), as she was on her way to college.

The grim discovery of her body was made on the evening of Falgun 24 (March 7), and subsequently identified on Falgun 25 (March 8).

The police have publicly announced the arrest of 21-year-old Rupendra Lama, a resident of Gokarneshwar Municipality Ward No. 3 Tarebhir, implicated in the murder.

In a press conference held on Sunday by the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office, the accused individual in the murder was disclosed.

According to police officials, the suspect had been romantically involved with Susma Lama for the past 8 months and confessed to the crime after facing rejection despite repeated advances.

Reportedly, Sushma Lama failed to return home after leaving for college on Magh 22 (Feb 5). On Magh 23 (Feb 5), she posted a wedding photo on Facebook, indicating her return within three days.

Following the family’s report of her disappearance to the police on Magh 25 (Feb 7), a search and investigation were initiated.

A month later, on the evening of Falgun 24 (March 7) the partially buried body was unearthed in Tarebhir, with only the hands visible, and subsequently retrieved on Falgun 25 (March 8).

The mother identified the remains, which were in a semi-decomposed state, with the hands bound by a belt and a tie around the neck.

Additionally, a machete used for digging, the deceased’s mobile phone, and a book copy were recovered from the accused’s room.