Wife pushed from cliff, stages death as accident
According to investigators, the crime was motivated by Anil’s suspicion that his wife was involved in an extramarital relationship.
KATHMANDU: A 19-year-old boy has been arrested for allegedly murdering his wife with the help of his 17-year-old brother in Gaumukhi Rural Municipality–6, Libang, Pyuthan.
Police say the victim, 19-year-old Sharmila, was killed on the night of Magh 16 (late January) after her husband, Anil Gharti, lured her out of their home under the pretext of going for an evening walk.
According to investigators, the crime was motivated by Anil’s suspicion that his wife was involved in an extramarital relationship.
District Police Office, Pyuthan, said Anil took Sharmila to a nearby cliff, where she was assaulted and pushed down.
When she got stuck on a tree partway down the cliff, the two brothers reportedly went down and threw her further into a ravine, leading to her death.
In an attempt to pass the killing off as an accident, the accused informed family members and police the following morning, claiming that Sharmila had fallen from the cliff while cutting grass.
However, police grew suspicious after examining the location and the position of the body.
Police Inspector Hari Bhattarai said the body was found in a place that could not be reached by an accidental fall, prompting a detailed investigation. “The nature of the scene raised serious doubts. During sustained interrogation, the husband confessed to killing his wife with his younger brother’s help,” he said.
The couple had entered into a love marriage two years ago, but their relationship had reportedly deteriorated in recent months.
Both brothers have been taken into custody, and the District Court has extended their remand as police continue investigation under a murder charge, authorities said.
