Family Refuses to Claim Body of Deceased Prisoner Amid Controversy at Sankhuwasabha Prison

A somber atmosphere hangs over the Sankhuwasabha District Jail following the deaths of two inmates on Wednesday, as their families refused to accept their bodies, alleging police brutality as the cause. The incident has ignited a fierce debate, drawing attention to issues within the prison system.

The deceased have been identified as 19-year-old Binod Tolangi from Madi Municipality-5 and 28-year-old Akash Balami from Kakani Rural Municipality-7 in Nuwakot. The unfortunate demise occurred within the prison premises, leaving a cloud of suspicion and unrest.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Birendra Godar from the Sankhuwasabha District Police Office provided details of the incident. According to his statement, the two prisoners attempted to escape by tampering with a window rod around 1 am. The police intervened, apprehending them and subsequently transferring them to the custody of the prison administration. However, conflicting accounts have emerged from other inmates and local witnesses, asserting that the police subjected Tolangi and Balami to physical abuse.

The situation escalated as fellow prisoners within the facility rallied together, protesting the alleged mistreatment. Their unified voice demanded accountability and justice for the deceased prisoners. The prison environment turned tense as chants and slogans against the police echoed through the confines of the establishment.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the local administration promptly assembled investigative committees to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the tragic events. The primary inquiry committee, led by Kamal Prasad Pandey, Director of the Home Prison Management Department, comprises representatives from Nepal Police, the National Investigation Department, and the District Administration Office of Sankhuwasabha.

Simultaneously, the District Administration Office has established an internal three-member inquiry committee to delve into the incident independently.

Chief District Officer Shivkumar Karki conveyed that the committee is spearheaded by Assistant Chief District Officer Mohanmani Ghimire, with Police Inspector Saroj Khanal and Junior Officer Tarini Ghimire from the District Administration Office as its members.

The prisoners’ deaths come against the backdrop of judicial verdicts. Binod Tolangi had been serving an 18-year sentence in a Rape case, while Akash Balami had received a three-year sentence for theft. Both individuals had spent a year behind bars prior to their untimely deaths.

As the investigation unfolds, questions regarding the circumstances leading to the inmates’ deaths continue to mount. The incident has cast a harsh spotlight on prison conditions and the treatment of inmates, underscoring the pressing need for reform within the country’s correctional system.

Currently, the Sankhuwasabha District Jail houses 138 inmates, including eight women, amidst an atmosphere of heightened scrutiny and public concern.