RSP candidate’s driver charged in child’s death

KATHMANDU: A road accident in Rautahat has claimed the life of a four-year-old girl when a car linked to the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) campaign struck her.

The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in Mathiyatole, Ishnath Municipality–4.

The victim, 4-year-old Alpha Khatun, daughter of Mohammad Sagir, was hit by a car (registration BA 15 CHA 4244) driven by Mustaq Alam of Paroha Municipality–3.

The vehicle was reportedly involved in the campaign activities of RSP candidate Sheikh Sagir Alam, who was conducting door-to-door outreach in Rautahat–2.

Eyewitness accounts and CCTV footage from a nearby mosque show the girl running across the road as the vehicle approached.

Despite her presence, the driver did not stop, and the left wheel of the car ran over the child.

Local residents immediately rushed her to City Hospital in Gaur, where her condition was critical.

She succumbed to her injuries shortly after.

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The driver fled the scene but was apprehended by police about four hours later.

Initial police statements from Mathiya Police Post, which claimed there was no political campaign in the village, were later contradicted by the CCTV footage showing the RSP campaign activity.

Police officials admitted the initial denial was based on incomplete information.

RSP candidate Sheikh Sagir Alam, in a social media post, stated that he was engaged in the campaign while the vehicle was driven by the driver, asserting he was not personally operating the car.

District Police DSP Bishnu Pradip Basyal confirmed that a vehicle-related injury case has been filed against the driver, and the District Court has granted an extension for investigation. “We are reviewing the CCTV footage and investigating whether the driver’s negligence caused the accident,” DSP Basyal said.

The RSP has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured full cooperation with authorities in the ongoing investigation.