‘Justice denied, life lost’
Carrying her two-year-old child, she was heading from her maternal home to her sister Laxminiya Devi Sada's residence when the men attempted to rape her.
KATHMANDU: Anandi Devi Sada, a resident of Phulbariya Musahar settlement in Nawarajpur Rural Municipality-3, Siraha, was found hanging in her maternal home on Tuesday—four months after she survived an attempted rape and struggled in vain to get justice.
On Poush 9, while on her way to visit her sister in Nargi, Nawarajpur-1, 26-year-old Anandi Devi was sexually assaulted by two men from her own village: 22-year-old Sanjeev Yadav and 32-year-old Shyamsundar Yadav.
Carrying her two-year-old child, she was heading from her maternal home to her sister Laxminiya Devi Sada’s residence when the men attempted to rape her.
Despite managing to escape, the trauma she endured ultimately pushed her to take her own life.
“She came home crying, screaming, and completely distraught that day,” said her sister-in-law, Binita Devi Sada. “Her trousers were torn from the waist down. Her arm was injured, and there were visible bite marks on her body.”
According to Binita, the accused first tried to lure Anandi by offering her Rs 3,000. When she resisted, Shyam physically assaulted her and dragged her into a nearby haystack, while Sanjeev filmed the incident on his phone. “She told me all of this herself,” Binita added. “It must have been around 1 PM when she finally made it back home.”
Police Delayed Filing the Complaint
Anandi and her husband, Umesh Sada, reported the attempted rape to the Maheshpur-based Patari Police Post on the same day. However, the police reportedly delayed registering the complaint. “Initially, they promised to take action,” said Umesh, “but for weeks we heard nothing. Only on Magh 4 did they give us a document with a case number, and then the very next day, they tore up the paper in front of us.”
In March, during a public program held on the occasion of International Women’s Day, Anandi and her mother, Biltaun Devi, spoke about the lack of police action. The event, organized by a human rights group, was attended by Inspector Rabin Mainali of the Patari Police Post.
Chairperson of Mukti Nepal, Devkumari Mahara, confirmed that Anandi had publicly shared her experience and alleged that police had refused to register her complaint. “We questioned Inspector Mainali directly, and he admitted that he did not register the case due to direct orders from then-SP Ramesh Pandit of Siraha District Police,” Mahara said.
Following intense pressure from human rights organizations, the case was eventually registered—but no investigation followed. “Even after the case became public and the victim pleaded for justice, the police remained indifferent. That negligence led to her death,” said Durga Pariyar, Siraha representative of INSEC (Informal Sector Service Centre).
Accused Still at Large
District Police Office Siraha Chief, SP Anantarama Sharma, stated that a formal case of “attempt to rape” was finally registered on Falgun 25 (March 8), 75 days after the initial incident. He said that the suspects are currently absconding, and the police had issued arrest warrants and conducted medical examinations at the time of the complaint. “We are investigating. On Wednesday, we met with the victim’s family to update them,” he said.
Attempt at Extrajudicial Settlement
Despite the legal prohibition against informal settlements in sexual violence cases, there were attempts to pressure the victim’s family into an extrajudicial resolution. “While the police were stalling, relatives of the accused offered Rs 100,000 and demanded the matter be settled within the village,” Binita Devi recalled. “We told them we wanted justice, not money—but even that didn’t come.”
The family further alleged that some police officials and legally knowledgeable individuals also encouraged a settlement. “Even those who are supposed to uphold the law tried to silence my daughter,” said Biltaun Devi. “They must be investigated too.”
Ward Chairperson of Nawarajpur-3, Banshilal Yadav, acknowledged official negligence and demanded a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
Government Response
Following public outcry over Anandi’s death, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak ordered a thorough investigation.
His secretariat confirmed that he contacted Inspector General of Police, Deepak Thapa, instructing a full probe into the case.
District Police Office Siraha stated that an investigation is currently underway.
