Six held in Itahari woman’s murder, husband in Korea named mastermind

KATHMANDU: Police have arrested six individuals in connection with the gruesome murder of 34-year-old Chunkumari Dahal, whose half-naked body was found in a forest near Dharan on Chaitra 25.

Her identity was confirmed three days after the discovery.

Originally from Mahalaxmi Municipality-2 in Dhankuta, Dahal had been residing in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-2 at the time of her death. Following the recovery of her body, Sunsari District Police Office launched an intensive investigation, leading to the arrest of six suspects, all with close ties to the victim.

Those arrested include the victim’s husband, 31-year-old Prem Bahadur Budhathoki, his younger brother Dhakendra Budhathoki (29), Dhakendra’s wife Sristi Budhathoki (25), the victim’s brother-in-law Yogendra Gautam (36), his wife Denu Gautam (28), and 40-year-old Keshavraj Dahal.

According to Superintendent of Police Suman Kumar Timalsina, the main mastermind behind the murder was Prem Bahadur Budhathoki, who is currently residing in South Korea.

He had returned to Nepal last December and went back in Mangsir.

Investigators say a combination of marital discord, mistrust, and financial motives led Prem Bahadur to orchestrate the murder from abroad, enlisting the help of close family members.

Planned Murder Disguised as a Visit

The investigation revealed that Yogendra Gautam lured Chunkumari into the forest on the pretext of visiting relatives. Once in the secluded area, he pretended they were lost and led her toward a stream, where she was ultimately killed using the strap from her own bag.

Three motorcycles were used in the execution of the plan — one each operated by Yogendra, Dhakendra, and a third by an absconding suspect identified as Raju Thapa Magar, a relative of Sristi. Raju, who hails from Assam, India, remains at large.

Autopsy Confirms Beating as Cause of Death

Although the body was found in a half-naked state, the post-mortem report confirmed that the cause of death was physical assault. So far, there is no confirmed evidence of sexual assault, though police have stated that the investigation is ongoing from multiple angles.

The Sunsari District Court has granted an eight-day extension for the custody of the six accused as further inquiries continue.