Kathmandu, February 20

A young man has died under suspicious circumstances at the Pashupatinath Temple premises during Shivaratri.

The body of the youth was found inside the temple area on the morning after Shivaratri. Following the discovery, police initiated an investigation. The Gaushala Police Circle prepared the preliminary report at the scene and began further inquiry.

After bruises and injuries were found on the body, the death was deemed suspicious, prompting a team from the Kathmandu Valley Crime Investigation Office to join the probe.

According to SSP Santosh Khadka of the Crime Investigation Office, the deceased has been identified as 25-year-old Santosh Giri of Sankhuwasabha. “Injuries found on the body make the case suspicious. We are investigating,” he said. Police said Giri had been living in the Pashupati area and survived by begging.

Suspecting possible homicide based on the condition of the body, police sent it to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital for post-mortem examination. Further details are expected after the report is received.

Police sources said a ‘baba’ (Hindu ascetic) has been linked to the case. During the investigation into who the deceased had spent the night with, the involvement of a baba emerged.

A mobile phone belonging to a Baba who had come to Pashupati for Shivaratri had reportedly gone missing. The Baba had accused Giri of stealing it. According to police sources, the baba had detained Giri and handed him over to the police. However, after the phone was not recovered and the individuals were released, the Baba allegedly took Giri into his custody again.

Investigators suspect that the Baba may have detained and assaulted Giri overnight, leading to his death. The suspect, surnamed Rajbanshi and a Nepali citizen who had previously lived in Baranasi, India, is currently absconding. Police say his identity has been established, and efforts are underway to arrest him.

Police have yet to make an official public statement on the case.

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