Jhapa police under scrutiny after Ilam man found dead in suspicious circumstances

KATHMANDU: The death of a man from Ilam in Birtamode, Jhapa, has triggered serious concerns over police response and handling of a sensitive situation by the Area Police Office, Anarmani.

The deceased, Ramkumar Thegim of Phakphokthum Rural Municipality–3, had travelled to Jhapa for medical treatment. He went missing on the evening of Jestha 15 near Greenfield School in Birtamode, prompting his family to begin searching for him overnight.

After failing to locate him, relatives formally informed the Area Police Office on Jestha 16 and requested assistance in finding him. However, only a few hours after the complaint was registered, locals discovered Thegim at Mahananda Chowk in Birtamod–5 under alarming conditions.

According to eyewitnesses, he was found with his hands tied and visible injuries, including bloodstains on his body. A video recorded at the scene shows him in a semi-conscious state, able to identify himself and provide his address.

Locals immediately informed the police, who arrived shortly afterward. However, residents allege that the response lacked urgency and proper coordination. They claim that instead of taking him directly for medical treatment or securing him under police protection, officers untied his hands and allowed him to leave the spot.

One local said the injured man was clearly in a vulnerable condition when found, and criticized the police for not acting swiftly to ensure his safety or hospitalize him. Thegim was later reported dead, raising questions about whether timely intervention could have saved his life. His family has accused authorities of negligence and failure to act responsibly during a critical moment.

The incident has also sparked public criticism directed at DSP Santosh Pathak, the newly appointed commander of the Area Police Office, Anarmani. Locals allege that the police’s conduct contradicts the force’s public motto of “Police My Friend,” questioning the effectiveness of the response system.

DSP Pathak, however, stated that police had responded after receiving information from locals and that the man was found in a semi-conscious state. According to him, Thegim reportedly said he could go to a relative’s house on his own, after which the team left the scene. He further suggested that alcohol consumption may have contributed to his condition.

Police also claimed that the deceased was in an intoxicated and disoriented state when found. The incident has since fueled widespread debate in the area, with residents demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and the role of police in handling the case.